Is it morning already?

"Yawn~!"

The sun is not shining through any window though.

It smelled cold and calm, like an ice cream!

Maybe I slept too early? Well, I can easily fix this problem with more sleep!

I shift on the couch, trying to find the most comfortable position until I-

Ow!

Roll out of the couch. Well, this surely is a 06 given sign. A smile comes to my face - right after Gus and the rest went to sleep I had begun the second circuit and I had done it! In less than a day, I managed to overlay and imprint the circuit all over my skin - well, the skin is the easiest part- but still, it's an achievement! I will need to do a do-over to check if I didn't do anything wrong, Luna forbid I close the second circuit with a bald spot or clashing Life roads... But right now I want to sleep.

...

A quick check wouldn't hurt, right? I lift my face from the ground and begin stretching, each pop kicks away the drowsiness out of my bones, limbs feel revigorated and a faint sense of pleasure compels me to keep stretching a bit more.

Until the stinging pain of too much stretching hits, I sit down with my back against the couch and begin, to recall the past, nostalgic times of me and my brother just bickering at each other. Life flows through my skin, easier than before, many lines made out of pure Life interconnected to form me. All of it seems good, with no contradicting or clashed lines, all spots were thoroughly covered.

All right, curiosity satiated, time to-

"Hnngh." I slowly turn my head toward the shuffling cloud next to me.

Oh no. I jumped over the couch and crouched down, my ears stood straight up listening for any sounds. She is an early bird like Hoppy, Dogday, or Kickin. This is terrible. "Good- Morning!" The sound of hooves clashing against the ground- she is out of the cloud! I hurriedly put both of my paws on my mouth snuffling my breath and-

I felt a tug on my tail. I blankly stared back and saw my tail over the couch... This traitor!

In an instant, I was met face-to-face with the pegasi holding me up in the air, tail clasped in hooves "Hello." Jet slept like a sloth yesterday! How can she be a morning critter?! "Who're ya hidin' from?" I slowly let my paws slide out of my mouth and fall, staring blankly at Jet. "Les'get sumthin' to eat." I latched onto the sofa with my claws, yet even that seemed useless with me being dragged to the kitchen, where Jet dropped me on a chair.

Well, what can I do besides wait for the Jet to do her thing? The kitchen looks spotless. Many cabinets, once filled with spiderwebs and their makers were now clean, the sink that had more rust than a whole junkyard would've reflected light if there was some- and if on cue, Jet turned on the Lumen stones on the kitchen. Much for my eyes displeasure. The fridge that once looked like a bunch of old metal put together now actually looks like a fridge. They sure worked hard.

Jet opened the fridge and took out two apples, wait how do fridges actually work around here? Lumen stones are not exactly light bulbs so... "How does the fridge work?"

"Sum heat-repellent wards inside." Aren't those too expensive to make for something so menial? "Ever since we discovered how to store magic in crystals, these things have been the hit!" She slapped the fridge. "So, how's your snooze goin'?" My wha- Oh. My muzzle. I give her a thumbs up. "Nice." Jet slides an apple to me, then her ears fell with a sigh, "Are ya really sure about this mail gig? It's really dangerous."

"Why?" Saying how many ponies die in this job a year isn't really that convincing.

"...Packages, as small as they are, can hold many valuables. Mail ponies are easy to pawn off, in the streets, even more if they are flying to another country to deliver something. I would know." Jet sighed, "Look, ya can find other ways to help that are safer."

No, I will make up for Leo. Another sigh escaped Jet, "Just be careful, 'kay?" I will. Even more careful than Bubba playing chemist! Or Crafty while she's painting or everycritter, there shall be no critter more careful than I!

Careful is my second name, I have never done anything that wasn't careful. Never. Ever. I put on a smirk and take a huge bite of my apple- "Kack-" Jet, once more, was quick enough to give me one of those very unpleasant hugs, blood flew from my mouth, "Cough!" Even more than yesterday.

"Catnap!"

My lungs stinging, my claws itching- shredding flesh coming out of my paws, Life twists and changes before everything becomes still once more.

What a way to start the day. A quick Mend depleted my reserves to below half, but my paws weren't hurting anymore, that's a plus at least. Ugh, my fur is dirty- "Catnap!" I whipped my head to Jet, still so endearingly holding me. "Ar'ya..?" I give her a thumbs up, she slowly releases me, "...Next time chew a bit more." I slowly look towards the table, a big puddle of crimson liquid and a near-untouched piece of apple. "Also, you need a bath-" Life reserves empty, I'm pristine as a Roman sculpture!
"Nice magic or arcane whatever shi- thing you did there, you're still getting a bath though." I locked eyes with Jet and narrowed them slightly, Jet raised an eyebrow with a small smile forming on her face.

I hopped out of the chair and- was upstairs?! "Whuh?!" Jet hooves had a firm grip- this isn't possible, it shouldn't be! there's no way in heck that hooves have firm grips-

You see how I'm holding this? W-we have small gravity fields on our frogs that...

Hnngh! "Stop strugglin', it's meaningless!" I don't wanna bath! I don't wanna! "If ya don't stop worming, there will be no bubbles." My tail stealthily reached for her wings and with a tug, it barely did anything, "Hah." She lifted me to meet her eyes, "Nice one, prick." You..!

Jet turned around and... Is she struggling to get the door open with her back hooves? So there isn't a conveniently placed magic grabbing field back there! I win! "Ha!" The pegasus snorted, flew a bit forward and bucked the door open.

"Oh."

Her voice suddenly deepened in a mock. "Oh, how unexpected." I swear I will- Wait—wait, why is the bath already full?

No.

It can't be.

"You had already planned this." That sick smile of hers is only confirmation! Jet we are friends, don't do this! "Please Jet," I looked up at Jet's face and did what I do best.

"Puppy, or well, kitten eyes don't work with those." Wha-

~Splash!~

Do you know what is more humiliating than being forced to take a bath? It's somecritter else scrubbing for you! I'm a grown, twelve-year-old, independent tom cat for 06 sake! Sure, mom does comb my fur sometimes but it's because I like it, not out of necessity! "Shampoo time!" And this is enough!

At once I stopped blowing bubbles and slapped the Shampoo away from Jet's hoof. "I know how to bathe."

Jet, now rubbing her eyes from the water snorted. "I neva saw ya take a bath once!" That's because you're not supposed to see?! For the love of Luna, I reach for the shampoo out of the bottom of the tube and put it aside. Why is she even treating me like a- a...

"Haah. So that's why. "Jet, do you know the principles of friendship?"

The pegasi raised an eyebrow, putting the sponge aside, "Why're askin' that now?" I made a question mark with my tail and waited, Jet rubbed her hoof under her chin, "To trust one anotha', always be there when it's needed, share stuff and laugh or cry together, and mutual respect."

"Which are you lacking right now?"

Jet wings swung open, she opened her mouth - probably to question me but then stared at me, her wings folded and as her eyes hung low, "Sorry. It's just... I don't wanna lose my only friend." And what does that have to do with forcing a bath onto me and a complete lack of respect for my privacy?! I huffed, it's an odd mistake to make when it comes to friendship, it's just so basic. But no critter can be a perfect friend.

I'll be honest, even if you do spend more time with Dogday Catnap, you feel like our best friend- No, family. To all of us.

Plus, you need to look around Jet. "You have three more friends in this house besides me."

Jet looked away, "I-I know, it's just that, well, ya're... My best friend." But kept sneaking a few glances.

Thanks for listening again... It really helps.

That's what best friends do, don't they?

A... Best friend? Does she care about me the same way I care about Dogday?

"And... It's a bit frustrating that I can't do anything to help ya." So that's it.

I didn't want to ask before, but if it helps Jet... If... If you could fetch me some poison jokes, a few dandelions, and an ignis stone with an auto-recharge enchantment, it would help." Jet eyes widened each time I mentioned a plant- well, it's reasonable. I'm practically asking for a top-of-the-line car from an underpaid worker.

Suddenly, a huge smile was born on her face, "Just... That?" I nodded? There's no way Jet can actually pull it off. "I'll get it all before sunset!" She hastily grabbed the sponge and was about to scrub me until I glared at her, "Oops, right. Sorry." She dropped the sponge once more and walked towards the door, stopping right in front of the door, "Just that, really?" I nodded once more.

Jet happily hopped out of the door, I think I did well.

...

Where's the towel?

"C'mon, we're close." The endless sea of ponies that yesterday held was nowhere seen, maybe because the sun wasn't fully up or it wasn't recess time yet. It was ten to nine when we left, so nine about now? Gus had practically just woken up, he barely ate anything and just went to work. He'll get hungry later.

But he doesn't seem to care, "Remember to play cool, even if you don't know the city well you just need to pretend that you do." But that doesn't sound very... Just? I nodded and adjusted the mail cap, it was a bit uncomfortable with my ears staying down all the time but I will make do!

Maybe they'll let me make some holes?

The quiet streets had concrete limbs, although most commercial buildings were closed, Except a few cafes. All the buildings had their unique style, which was very intuitive too! Jewelry buildings shined like jewels and some even had big diamond props! While alchemists had a big cauldron prop at the top of their shops right after their name, some even had those sciency flasks! A flourishing urban jungle, so diverse... I knew all of the convenience stores back home, the streets weren't smooth like this either, sometimes I and Dogday would sneak out to steal some oranges from Shelly Shells' orchard.

It was somewhat fun to run away from that turtle... I wish I could- "Heads up." Oh. We're up at the mail already. Gus slapped both of his cheeks, carving away the last remnants of sleep, "You don't need to know what you're doing," Hm? "You just need to sound like you do know." Okay, I got this. Be confident and bold! Just like how Kickin' taught me! From now on there won't be any critter more confident than I!

Gus put on his blue cap, opened the door, and walked in, followed behind by me! I'll strike them with the greatest amount of confidence I can muster!

Behind the same concrete box like before, stood - or well, sat the same mare from yesterday. Gus wasted no time and clapped his paws, and the mare, just like before, jumped up. But this time the magazine stood firmly on her hooves.
"O-oh! You're here already... Twenty minutes earlier, how punctual! Hehe..." The mare slowly slid her magazine under the table, "Wait a second." Then she went ahead to the door hidden from our perspective. I wondered from where she would pop out of, there were no doors- As if to answer me, there were sudden clacking and turning of gears, and the wall to the far right opened up revealing a secret room! Why? Why there? Why here? Why- Why isn't Gus phased by this?! "Come in!"

Why is every critter acting so normal about this?! Somepony had to build the wall for it to open this way and- and it's a frickin' secret wall! How is everypony- I-I- I give up. By the time I found myself sighing Gus had already taken my paw and dragged me inside the walls, a bit narrow at the start but after a few steps it opened to a room filled with cabinets spitting paper, cardboard boxes smashed, dropped, full and empty, and saddle bags everywhere. First aid kits with no bandages and an empty syringe. Two pegasi were playing a game of cards, further back there was a steel door with a sign written 'Boss room.' with a butterfly sticker working as a dot. Aside from the visual mess, it reeked of tobacco and alcohol, a tiny drop of decomposing mice, yet the only sound in this room was that of a mosquito constantly zooming around my ear.

I don't like this place.

The mare hopped to the cabinet and grabbed a hooffull of letters, "Okay, so introductions and instructions." Then she turned around, "Name's Cappuccino." Her hoof pointed at the boarded-up windows, "Now, in case you live on the Scorched Lands, mailing is a dangerous business." Her hoof dropped the many letters and reached for two, "Please read thoroughly before signing these." handing it out for us as well as quills.

Let's see... Wonder Delivery is not responsible for... Severe injury, work accidents, being mauled by dragons?! Stabbed, gutted, tortured, enslaved, discombobulated... By 06, what am I getting myself into?

I looked back at Cappuccino and her innocent smile. I felt a chill travel through my legs to my head. I think I get it now... F-for Leo! I sign the contract "Great! S-so, Gus, right?"

Gus handed back his paperwork and briefly stared at Cappuccino's eyes, then bowed, "Gustavo, a pleasure."

The mare turned her face around, "P-Pleasure is mine!" I could see a small smile on Gus's face, "A-and you?" Gus straightened himself back up and stared at me, I just nodded. Oh hey, I think I'm getting that stare language now.

"This is Catnap, not much of a talker." I give her a thumbs-up. Gus moved a bit closer "Shouldn't we get to know them?"

"Catch." The yellow pegasi mare with a grinning smile answered. Her cutie mark was of a butterfly net, her mane was navy blue, she has a red butterfly earrings on her left ear.

The other pegasi of brown coat and black mane sighed, "Snatch." His expression was neutral, yet he slapped his hoof full of cards on the table, a faint grin on his face. His cutie mark was of a tragedy and comedy mask. "Four of a kind."

"What?!" Catch cards fell from her hoof.

"Ehehe, You will get to know them better later." Cappuccino returned to the cabinet and grabbed a small map with blue and red dots..? "This is a magical map! This blue dot is you, the red dot is where you need to go." Gus nodded and took the map, Cappuccino reached for another trinket which was a slappable grey bracelet, "This little thing has a shield spell, strong enough to withstand chanted type, circle type, and explosive type spells, plus almost any type of physical attack, it has a recharge time of an hour." The earth pony mare took a deep breath and stared at me, the room suddenly got colder, "It only works on attacks within your sight range and the shield will disperse after the first hit." She handed the bracelet to Gus and he immediately slapped it around his wrist. Cappucino then turned around and grabbed a saddle bag which she put a few packages inside before handing it out to Gus, "Alright, off you go!" Gus wrapped it around his arm like a postal bag.

Gus further adjusted his cap and gave a short nod before going out, waving goodbye. "Now you..." She rubbed her head, "Catnap?" I nodded. "Okay, Catnap." She reached behind and grabbed a smaller box then gave it to me, then grabbed a map and a slappable bracelet, "Same as the other one, but a bit easier. Try to get it done in under an hour, please?" I nodded and took the map and the purple wrist bracelet, I quickly put it on and felt the circuits on my skin prickle it. I could probably forcefully recharge it with Life with minimal consequences. "Oh, and one more thing! If you ever feel like somepony is following you, they most likely are so, stick with populated routes if possible." Uhm, that isn't very good...

"Why's that?"

Cappuccino blushed then shook her head, "A-also, smoking is not allowed inside!" I don't smoke- A-and that doesn't answer the question! "N-now off you go, deliveries won't do themselves!" All it took was a blink for me to realize I was now outside, the door soon slammed behind me followed by the sound of five locks. Rude. I gave a final inspection on my purple bracelet, it didn't perfectly blend in with my fur but nobody would see it at first glance - Now on the arcane side of things, the same constant uncomfortable prickle is a giveaway this bracelet is of a complex rune, which makes using a Life instead the Essence of the World a bit harder but feasible, it could resist a single attack of the sixth layer. Squeezing another rune in should be plausible too... A rune of comfort.

...I began scratching my wrist.

The day seems to be getting hotter, but that could be a ploy to get my fur wet, so I won't bite it - they should have an umbrella back at Wonders. I opened my map, and immediately a big red dot at the far corner blinked in and out that is very far away... Hoo boy.

I walked by many stores now happy to open, a safe net of ponies happy to talk away over food, clothes, or just business. Stalls opening at the side of the street, a stallion frying some hay in the open air to get some customers, friends trying to bargain a mat for a cheaper price, a unicorn helping a few earth ponies unwrap a package, a pegasi colt picking up the ball stuck in a tree for his friends.

All were smiling but... There were no critters like me. I recall that somepony told me that 'we' were more common up north of Equestria but... There's none?

I stopped to look back at the fillies and colts and- there was a fellian there. Orange just like Leo. The Pegasi colt returned the ball to the fellian with a wide smile. Hm. I searched for the critter cat's parents but there were only ponies besides him. Besides me, there were no other. None.

My walk resumed to a slow stride until I found an alley, something itched me at the tip of my tail, the same dirty ground with grime. There was a dirty mattress barely visible behind the trash there, but no pony. Or fellian.

Come to think of it, I have never seen any homeless critter yet. But that isn't my business, I have a delivery to make.

Eventually, the streets started to get narrower, with a few holes in the pavement here and there until the pavement wasn't smooth asphalt but an amalgamation of uneven bricks, trees began spurting too, gaining ground against the pony-made bricks and sidewalk. I pulled out the map, and the place I should be was at the start of Frilly Frow Street. I'm at Blue Stampede's end, so it is... That house?

It was a sorry sight. the iron spear-like fence was rusted, the wooden walls rotten, the windows were broken, the lawn looked just like Jet's house if no critter ever bothered to cut it from the start, the ceiling tiles were riddled with holes and crow nests. The only sign of life was the trash bags outside... Leaking something black. I looked at both sides and took a deep breath, 06 be with me. I reached for the gate of the fence and pulled the knob but rust had made it stuck, and I rightfully used a bit more of strength. The gate broke its hinges and fell with a soft thud on the grass, I looked both sides then back to the house.

No critter saw anything. If I don't say anything it wasn't me.

I went inside with slow steps looking over the lawn, if there were few things I hated more than Catfeine's smug face was spiders, thankfully none jumped at me throughout the way to the door. And wow, it was a door only in name because If I so wanted I could sneak a paw through one of those massive holes and just unlock it.

Ehem, It's fine! Just knock! This is your first step to returning home, so just brave through! You've been through worse, being lost in the forest was no fun and neither was being kicked by that demon Hydra thing. That reminds me of that time Kickin' thought he got poisoned because a snake bit him. It was a baby python. So yeah, this is small. Small.

Just... Knock.

My paw slowly reached towards the door.

Knock—simple action.

Gulp

Here goes nothing!

Then the door fell before my paw could even reach it, shining lights to the decayed insides; The floorboards were rotten, infested with termites, that mixed with some planks missing, plus rats chittering under the floor made a very fun environment. I crouched down and put the box down. Then felt something touch my tail- "Ah!" I jumped and- Oh, it's just a rat. Phew. Well then, first delivery is done! Yay, back to Wonder Delivery then!

"Heey there youngling." My legs froze and a chill ran through my being. The voice was old- and- and familiar... "My, my. Younglings these days are always in a hurry!" I turned around and met the mare, her coat was a dull orange closer to a faded painting than actual fur, while her mane was grayer than rain clouds, her skin the pure manifestation of the word 'dried up.' At least she's not freaking out because of my eyes - that might be because hers are tightly shut, b-but it's still a win! "Back in my day, fellians used to greet ponies with respect and..." How can she see? I don't recall any spell capable of doing that. An arcanist? There's little to no Life on her though... But the way she's speaking and walking, she just knows where she is - then again, this is her house. Why am I bothered by this? "...come inside and have a meal." The moment I realized she had bit onto my tail and walked inside baffled me, and she was the one talking about RESPECT! The audacity!

I felt my claws itching but... It isn't worth it. It's just an old mare, "He-" I could hear her neck bones popping as her head turned around way faster than a normal pony would. Definitely was some warrior or adventurer on her youth, "-yy... Nice house, it's very-" I stared at the dusty floors, "It's very clean." I'm terrible at this.

She didn't mind at least, the mare just turned around and kept going, each of my steps received a small cry from the wooden planks followed by a small puff of dust, some planks that were missing I avoided - the walls faded with time were adorned with black and white photographs of a couple and the few furniture that decorated the living room was decaying in fading colors of mold, this wasn't a living room, no, just a room. She let go of my tail in the kitchen, she probably thought I was there but the length of my tail deceived her, I took the opportunity to look around further.

The room was empty sans the picture of a couple, a yellow mare with a green stallion... Her coat could have faded over time, "Fellian?" Or she just bought the house and never bothered... To do anything with it? But even not opening an eye she knew where to step, even avoiding weak floorboards, "Where are you?" This doesn't swing right to me.

I soon went to the kitchen, the tiles in the floor were cracked or outright missing, but that was nothing compared to the relic of a stove that she had, I had only heard about ones working out by using lumber. Well, besides that it was pretty empty, there was a sink, a single cabinet for silverware I presume, a broken window over the sink, and a table that held a plate with multiple chocolate chip cookies, steaming. That resumes the kitchen.

The old mare reached for the plate but her hoof fell a paw short, she instead simply signaled trying to hide this mistake as intended. "Have one, sonny." I reach for the cookie and nearly put it in my mouth. Right, no chocolate. "Don't be shy, just take a bite!" I shook my head, that is certified cat poison. "Don't be like that, you'll make granny upset..." The mare hit the floor with her hoof and then flinched. My eyes narrowed. "Take it." I shook my head, "Just one bite." I made an X motion with my arms ,"TAKE IT!" That smell...

~Creak~

My ears flicked, the termites sure are doing one heck of a job. "Don't upset granny." Granny opened her eyes but only a tint of a blue glow permeated through the darkness of her eye socket- this isn't a pony.

I turned around and was greeted by a floating bat that was inches from connecting from a downward swing.

Everything began to slow down - a dark unicorn with a red mane smirked through the darkness, even as its crimson eyes cut through the shadow that hid its form, it bore darkness.

I urged my arms to move, but all that was heightened was my perception, they would never make it.

Then... Am I supposed to take it? Straight to the head? What if-

No. Screw what-ifs. I never have run from a fight that I could win.

I'm sorry Dogday. I haven't changed at all... I'll take the hit then I'll make a comeback.

Everything slowly resumed. Too quick it came, too fast it spread. I couldn't see anything but it felt warm, something warm squeezing out of me - why did I feel so irritated again?

Maybe, I should just sleep this off.

"Catnap! Wake up, school's over already!"

"C'mon, you promised to visit Catbee with me today! Wake up!"

I can't help you raise your grades with your head in the clouds, live up a bit Catnap.

Get up lazy bones and let's do one more lap!

Didn't ya want to learn to skate? Then get some enthusiasm

U-um. This side looks a bit too big to the other arm a-and... It's a stick critter... But it's fine! Because you put love into that painting.

Don't worry Catnap. You've changed for the better, and we're all happy about it, even if you refuse to see it.

Ugh. I knew I shouldn't have become the goalkeeper with Kickin' and Hoppy on the opposite team... That ball must have hit something important for me to start hearing them... "Hnngh-" I can barely think straight-

"Shhh!" the sweet voice of familiarity, "Don't make a sound! Else they get you." The trouser-wearing brown tabby, Venator. When did I- I tried to move any of my limbs to find myself strapped down against a pipe, and this smell, it's so- eugh! "Hey-! Hey."

Once I turned my head to her, the first thing I noticed was that she had a black eye. The second was that I couldn't see anything from my right eye. "Keep quiet!" Venator's whispers were sharp as a knife, she quickly turned her head towards the door. "W-we'll just go faster if we make noise." Go faster..? The room was dark but there was a red light above us, just enough illumination for me to see a spilled box of wrenches, buckets, bolts, drills, and other construction instruments lying around but far from reach, the constant squeaking rats, the spiderwebs, and giant spiders that made this place their home plus this smell was enough for a guess. "We are in the sewers." Oh Luna, of all places... Right at our side there is a metal door, three fellians strapped on the opposite side of the wall, one white, one orange, and one grey, then there was a single cyan unicorn with a yellow mane next to me but it seemed to be asleep, she seemed to be going on a wed with that weird ring on her horn... "I-I didn't know it went this deep and now... D-do you have anything to get out?" I shook my head and then concentrated for a bit, with Life reserves full a Mend was in order, and shortly after I could see with both my eyes again. "W-what- how- your face was split-"

Much of my thoughts now straight, I finally noticed something rather obvious. They didn't take my cap. And my wrist now beginning to itch is more than a sign that things aren't so bad, "H-hey! How did you do that!?" You seem very distressed for the wrong reasons, Venator.

Now for a plan, I could gas them but everycritter in the room would also-

~Bang!~

"Eep!" The pony at my side jolted awake. And just as quick as her squeak came her hooves to her mouth.

The metal door flung open, and in came a copper-colored pony with a red hood shredding his face in darkness with the tip of a horn and a few strands of pink mane poking out, the red hood had a black crystal symbol at the head. He took a look around before settling in a pony at me, then his eyes moved to the unicorn at my side, her tyings were undone, the ring on her horn suddenly was enveloped by a pink aura, slowly pulling it off.

The mare stared wide-eyed the whole process and once both the ring and the ties were gone she momentarily stood still before making a break for it!

She lit up her horn, grabbed some nearby wrench, and readied it for a strike while the robbed pony stood still yet his eyes wandered to Venator, from the side of my sight I could see she had her eyes shut and ears flat to the head. A small huff drenched with mirth escaped his mouth.

"Haaa!" The mare swung the wrench with a roar, yet as it slowly approached the robbed pony he just stared at it until it struck true in his throat, I half expected him to wince or move but nothing happened, he didn't even move. I squinted my eyes and barely noticed a small translucent pink hexagons appearing right where the wrench hit.

Magic armor imitates dragon scales, and also a minor spell to negate the impact. That is about two mid-level spells if I recall. The mare stared with wide eyes at the robbed pony, and only now he begins to stroll towards the mare until he was right in front of her, his hoof raised and the mare flinched, then-

~Crack!~

He punched the horn off. Many other critters had waken up by this point and all of them flinched, some cowered while others closed their eyes as the head of the once unicorn flew back as her whole body fell to the ground. Perhaps I was the only one that found this situation fascinating.

...

No! I-I need to do something. She slowly picked herself up with a grunt then reached with her hoof to the tip where his horn once was, and it came back red. "Ahhhh!" The unicorn tried to gallop away but it was for naught, the robbed pony grabbed her with his telekinesis and dragged her against the ground to the other room, and the crying and screaming of the unicorn echoed through the still room. "Please let me go- I- I didn't do anything I-" Then sound of something somewhat familiar.

Randandandan!

"No-!" Then screams. Bloody screams with the sound of flesh being torn apart and blood flowing and splashing on the ground like large raindrops, the screams soon sounded like somepony was gargling until only the sound of the chainsaw remained.

They tore her apart. "Celestia..." Venator's ears flopped, and tears clung to the corner of her eyes. "Please help me." I could've saved her, b-but- No. I- I can still save everycritter.

I will save everycritter! "I have a-"

~Cough- Cough!~

Fuck- "Cough!" Steaming blood burned the insides of my mouth with each cough- my throat feels like it has been shredded and thrown on hot oil. What's worse is my eyes are itching and then all I saw was red, then black. Then, as soon as it came it went away with the final bits of blood running out of my throat.

"C-Celestia! Oh no..." Venator looked around at the remaining fellians, each equally grim and looking down. "O-Oh..."

Why always on the worst possible time?! Fucking hell- Calm down, calm. Focus. "I have a plan." Not even a ear flicker, "For when the next one comes in." She got it, probably. There is no way they can expect the dream gas, plus with this smell it means they didn't set up any air filtration charm, so the advantage is mine. I just have to stay calm and play my cards right... Then after gassing them I will use the Dream Module to take control over their body and free us, the other critters may fall asleep too, but that's fine. It'll be a bit tiring but I could control their bodies as well.

Now, if there are more robbed critters I could just repeat the process. Easy enough.

Gulp

Simple enough.

My ears stood up, and I kept my eyes on the door, the faint shadow moving under the door did make my guts twist many times, and the frequent squeak from mice was beginning to sound a lot more like words by the second. The shadows seemed to be moving around, vivid and alive but that couldn't be.

It was stressful, it was tense. And it was boring. Me, who couldn't keep an eye open through all classes now had to keep close attention at a door. Couldn't they just come already?!

Oh wait.

Soft sniffles came from the other side, some fellians that just had a bit more movement than me tried to curl up with their arms still tied to their backs. I looked at my side, the spot where that pony was, then at Venator.

She was cold. There's no other motive a critter like her would tremble. Where was that pride? The confidence?

I can't do this! It's just... I can't!

"My friend Dogday used to be very scared of thunders. Or loud sounds in general, another friend of mine, Hoppy, a green bunny, invited me to prank Dogday, we used to fill in balloons and pop them when he wasn't looking." It wasn't really a nice friendly prank per se, but we were younger and didn't know better. "We did it every Monday until he actually stopped jumping with it. We cured his fear through mean-spirited pranks." Yeah, the sleepover next month further proved that. Kickin' screamed like full grown cock with that thunder. "We got a good scolding from his father and our parents that day." I wonder how dad is doing...

"...You're a terrible friend." Wha- no! Current me is better than past me for sure! "Didn't he ever fight back?"

"No, he just got a bit upset. So we always took him to eat ice cream afterward."

"How did a fellian and a diamond dog become friends?" Diamond dog? Is this the name for dog critters around here?

"He invited me to hang out. Dogday was trembling at the day since I was a bit of a bully."

"And then?" Finally, the dread is gone, replaced by genuine curiosity.

"I didn't enjoy the company right off the bat. The stereotype of dog and cats always fighting was strong at school, although I always came back and eventually, I just began to enjoy it." It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. "Then we started to play catch every afternoon after school." Well, his parents wouldn't just let him have fun so I managed to convince him to tell them he stuck around school to study more. However, we always had to go to the outskirts afterward to find a lake so he could clean up a bit...

"That's nice." Venator smiled, one that quickly vanished as she tried to move her arms.

"Do you have any friends?"

That caught the brown tabby by surprise, she opened her mouth but quickly shut up as a pony kicked open the door. It is time then. "Hold your breath." I whispered and followed by taking in a huge breath, I don't know how much more potent this one will be, since it got an 'improvement.' so I won't focus on that, quantity instead. The cloaked pony walked toward us, and right when he was in front of Venator I took one last look at her and sure enough, she was holding her breath. I let it all out, not one speck of the room wasn't dyed in crimson-red smoke.

"Cough- Gasp-" And as he gasped for air he fell, dull on the ground, REM overflowing. For the first time, I took that in and activated Dream Module properly and the REM from him and of the nearby fellians went inside my head, stored right onto the first circuit. Just that took the capacity that was always zero to roughly seventy-two percent. But that isn't what I want, with a mental tug of the steady web of REM coming from the cloaked pony, it stood up - okay, this is like a string puppet then. Time began to slow as I concentrated, memories intertwined with muscle, and a weird sensation of nostalgia came to me as I managed to perfectly control the cloaked pony, just like a limb. Have I done this before? Memories shouldn't extend to muscles, could it? One thing is for sure though, Venator can't hold her breath forever. Besides that cloaked pony, I also took control of the fellians, my body seemed to get heavier with each but I could keep up - I need to keep up. The cloaked pony first took care of Venator, she ran to the door tipping over a few toolboxes and wrenches but stopped to look back at the robbed pony, with a curious tilt as he began to undo my ties.

Got it. After being freed myself, I controlled the pony to go next to Venator and extend his hoof, she stared back at me with a raised eyebrow and I answered with a thumbs up. The brown tabby sighed and grabbed the hoof, together they went to the other room.

There is a very small window that I need to adapt to the borders of my technique since the actual range of Dream Module is immense, due to the objective being to imitate one of the mistress of night's dream ability. Feeling the throbbing of REM from ponies hundreds of paws above me is not comfortable at all.

Another weird thing that I need to quickly get used to is that I can feel the 'dream walker,' not see or hear, but feel and even control their dream. With certain mental twists of the REM web I can cause some twists and change the dream they are currently having, the effect is reflected by the movement in the awake world. Marionette's with extra steps, even if I am somehow able to control like I was a master at it before, I'm not quite used to the burden. My body just feels so heavy by carrying their dreams... But I won't stand still. I quickly run to the other newly formed dream walkers and start cutting their ties with my claws one by one.

After the last one was free, I made them rush with me close to the wall of the door, there I peeked inside.

A dark red circle with burning black flames at the center, pipes ran at the ceiling like thousands of snakes but most importantly, there was that black unicorn with a crimson mane and eyes from before, with a hooded figure at his side that could be either a pegasi or earth pony. Both of them were a few paws away from the dream walker, "Zaza, are you going to pass me the livestock or..?" The unidentifiable hooded cultist spoke, I could see the two bloody chainsaws at his side...

And our exit right behind him "Why aren't you-" A thought is all it's needed for the dream walker to jump at his ally, the hooded pony was faster than I thought- wait, is that another hoof coming out of his back?!

~RANDANDANDA-~

He impaled the leaping pony and lifted him with his chainsaw, before tossing him to the flames. There was no sound of him ever hitting the ground.

By 06... "Bah, this hood is just getting in the way." The robbed pony threw his robe into the fire as well and- WAIT IS THAT THE CLOWN FROM YESTERDAY? "Mhmm, Much better Skittles-"

"Who's that?" The dark pony snorted, then brushed his crimson mane with a hoof.

Guffaw sighed, "Okay, Daark Heaart." His voice distorted to that of a child, "Grab the fellian and-" Okay, that's my cue! I jump in followed by three other fellians- "-And it seems like we got a little rebellion." And held my paws up to my mouth. Venator seemed to understand. "Wait, wasn't that the one you tested that enchanted bat with?" I took a deep breath.

Lowered my paws, "Yeah! I swore I tore half of his-" And breathed out. Crimson gas washed the room and a new supply of REM quickly tugged on my mind. The strength increased too much, I barely needed to concentrate the gas now... If I were to accidentally-

~Randandanan!~

I ran toward Venator and pulled her back, the sound of a chainsaw echoing throughout the room, "Hmm. This fog gives quite the buck." The voice of an old lady.

My ears flicked then- to my side! I turned to see a chainsaw inches away from connecting to my face and-

~Clang!~

A blue hue flicked the chainsaw away, oh I nearly had a heart attack by Luna... No time to waste. I reach for the new REM and tug it like a puppet, the new Dreamwalker begins to trot to where the chainsaw came from "Hahaha! So that's why Zaza tried to tackle me!" He hit nothing. The gas slowly began to fall to the ground, "Didn't know fellians could learn this type of magic, next time we'll tie their mouths too then." I need it to go down faster! I quickly tugged the web of new REM, and immediately felt my weight triple, but all I needed was a quick action, I made Skittles ignite his horn, pushing all the fog down with a mighty telekinetic force! That, sadly, included all of us too though. "Ugh!"

The unicorn dream walker fell right after with me releasing control. I quickly rose and saw the monstrosity in front of me. It was pony-shaped, for sure. But his skin, no, it had no skin - it was formed purely out of flesh, an eye placed at every few paws of space on his body, four flesh tendrils coming out of his back with white sharp bone at its tips, he had three mouths, one where it should be and two other where his eyes should be, while two eyes were at his cheeks. Was Guffaw a demon from the start, or did that thing take his place?

Lesser Demon: Guffaw(?) Metamorphos.

His flesh squirmed like parasitic larvae bursting out of a body - fluids red and yellow flowing out from every orifice of his body, with squeaks and gurgles coming out each of his mouths, yet, that sight, these sounds were nothing compared to the smell of weeks old decomposing body, rotten egg and flesh alike mixed in a unique putrid scent that no living creature should smell like. My ears flicked at the sound of something liquid, intense gasping and regurgitating behind me, Venator had vomited. I could only barely gulp down the Bile, feeling it rush down my throat was not pleasant.

Yet a feeling arose from that monstrosity, a feeling of challenge. I closed my eyes and did my best to shoo away what wasn't me. When I opened them again The flesh had morphed, taking the color of a snow-white coat and a flaming red mane that was no short of a bird's nest, muscles started to reform from meek to ones that spoke years' worth of training nonstop, yet, they weren't big, they were strong. But that was nothing to the long white wings, each feather perfectly ordained, a single flap made a small breeze on the room. "Isn't this your friend? I have never copied a body so potent." The chainsaw that once was on her tentacles was now under her forehooves, I need to grab Venator and run away- I need to- I-I can't move. Is this some sort of demonic spell?

A chuckle, good-heartedly. She sounded just like Jet. "Aw, are you scared?" But besides that, that is where similarities end. His flight was amateurish, no, even calling it that would be an insult to newborn foals. He lacks the grace and confidence Jet has while flying, She- No, it had no right to take her face! "Tsk." I took a deep breath. That thing isn't Jet.

But it looks like her... I took a deep, slow breath. I'm not going to hurt a friend. I'm doing this to survive.

"So..?" Venator asked, slowly wiping her mouth and avoiding any contact with Guffaw.

"To the door." I will save their dreams from this monster.

I can do this. "You're not staying behind." Venator tightly grabbed my paw. This will be a bit difficult, but... I tug the REM strings and the cultist slowly gets up. With Venator pulling me, moving was less of a hassle.

Guffaw revs his chainsaw, "Alright, enough chit-chat!" His wings flapped and he dive-bombed forward- Only to be slammed to the ground by cheer unicorn telekinetic power. "Kah- Aahhhhh!" A-and the chainsaw Guffaw was holding- I-I didn't know Jet could scream like that-

~Crrrraack!~

My belly felt like a caved pitfall, Skittle's horn had just cracked, and while I couldn't see through his eyes, his dreams stopped abruptly... Is he..? "We need to go!" Venator pulled me close to the door, and screams of pain and the churning of flesh being torn filled the room... The dream walkers!

With a mental tug, they follow right behind us. "Keep your head straight, alright?" Venator patted my shoulder and let go of my paw to open the door. A metal door that was rust-infested to the point I could smell the oxidation, "Hnngh- This-" Venator let go of the knob and kicked the door, "This hunk of metal- could you lend me some paws?" She stared at the dream walkers with a blank face, "Please?" Annoyed face!

I quickly sent the dream walkers beside the cultist to the door, for that one I just relinquished control over. "You..!" I hastily turned around and Guffaw, with a hole so large in his chest that his intestines slipped out, had gotten up. The chainsaw at the side had broken down. "You fuck!" Venator, go faster please- "I'll tear you open!" His body morphed, the hole on his stomach closed and two new hooves popped at his side, mouths and eyes started to form all over his body crying pus or barfing... A lot of saliva?

In an instant, the smell of the room felt rotten then it smelt like iron- I reached a paw for my nose and it came back red.

"Shit- It's sulfuric acid, don't breathe!" That's easy for you to say-

"Cough-" I gasped for air as blood suddenly filled my lungs, I began barfing it out, "Cough- Cough cough!"

"Pffffhahahaha!" Guffaw ran towards the chainsaw he had thrown at me earlier, "I'll tear you~ tear you~ A-part!"

"Cough!" I gasped for air and by the second I felt my head fill with something. It was hard to think-

Venator grasped my paw, "Come on!" Pulling me over to the door.

Oh, the dream walkers. I can't leave them behind, could I?

They're just puppets, not worth our time.

Yes, I just feel so tired... They'll be fine. "Are they coming or not?" I stared at Venator holding my paw, "We can't leave them behind!" Oh, okay.

I pull the strings and take all dream walkers out, "NOT SO FAST!" Guffaw began to change his body structure to one more arachnid in nature. Flesh tentacles burst from his neck, they held the chainsaw.

But we got out of that room first, Venator kicked the door shut after the last dream walker got out.

Oh boy, I'm glad I can't smell anything right at the moment because this place surely looks disgusting. Pipes craft with and by rust, cockroaches, centipedes, rats, and spiders, the concrete ground had leftovers of paper, plastic, some tools, a half-eaten sandwich, and cigars - plus the sound of rushing water ahead could only make me imagine how the sewer river actually looks like- "Buddy, the exit!" Oh yeah... I shook my head, my nose still bleeding... I don't think Mend can fix this.

~Bang!~

"You can't hold on forever!" Guffaw shouted from the door, "After I get my hooves on you I'll fucking kill you!"

~Bang!~

The door opened slightly cracked open with a green hoof passing through, "Faster! Look for the exit faster!" I sent my clones to aid Venator holding the door, crushing the hoof.

"Gaah!" Right, exit. Where- Oh for critter's sake. A pristine, shining ladder of hope... On the other side of the green lake.

"Vena- Cough-!" My body feels like it's made out of lead...

"Hold on, we're almost out!" She let go of the door and took a hammer that was on the ground, "Can you jump?" hmmrgh- What would Kickin' do in a situation like this? "Celestia..." Venator looks at me up and down. "Okay, okay. You'll be fine, just stick with me." Why are you saying that-

"Cough-"

~Bang!~

Venator held me, "Stick with me, okay? I can't keep my reputation as the best newscat around without a first-paw interview with you." She looked back at the door, "Well get through this together."

Oh, right. Kickin' would push through for his friends. All... All of them would do that.

~BANG!~

Venator looked at the door and then to the ladder, "Let's jump." She let go of me and I nearly fell. With a bit of start-up, she ran, jumped, and landed perfectly close to the ladder, "I'll get the stallionhole opened up, you jump with all of them together okay?" She began to climb up.

I can do this. Be brave like Hoppy! And tenacious like Dogday! I can do this!

Wobbling, I got some distance for a start-up, then fell to all my fours. This will be a bit easy, one paw after the next... One paw after the next. I'm ready.

At once, all dream walkers let go of the door and it flew from its hinges right after, "I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!" Then we ran.
This will be easy, there should be quite a few critters as athletic as I am right now, this will be easy! We jumped together but didn't land together as my knee hit the border of the other side.

It... Surprisingly didn't hurt? I tried to stand up but fell- No time to waste, then, I sent the Dreamwalkers ahead, "You-" And took in a deep breath. "will die by-" If I were to condense a bit more it might just take him down but... "my hooves!" It would be fatal for them... Then, smokescreen!

In a few seconds was all it took for me to flood the... entirety of this section? Probably less- "YOU FUCK!" Bobby would have a pleasure washing your mouth. Then I heard a splash followed by water drops splashing on my back.

Ew.

By now the last dream walker had escaped, so I got to crawling until I felt the wall and the ladder built into it.

This will be tricky with only one leg... "WHERE ARE YOU!?" But I have time. One at a time, slowly... "WHERE IN TARTARUS ARE YOU!?" One step after the next, I could see the moonlight shining through, Venator reached her paw and I gladly took it-

"Found you." Something bit my leg, but there was no pain. I felt dazed.

I felt my leg elongate a bit, then a lot seeped out, "Shit- Okay, calm. Hold still!" Venator lifted her arm that had her hammer, then threw it down.

"OW- YOU FUCK-!" His grip suddenly loosened and Venator wasted no time to immediately pull me up and drop me with a gasp. Ow. I flipped around and got a good look at my leg - it was only connected by a thin flesh strip, bone and muscle severed... Is this why I feel so sleepy?

"Y-your-" A raging roar from below pulled her from whatever thought she was about to voice, she hurriedly picked the stallionhole and closed the entrance to the sewers, and just to be sure, stood above it.

Multiple bangs followed, "I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, NEWSCAT! I'LL TEAR YOU APART!" Venator wasn't bothered by the slightest. "I KNOW WHERE YOUR BROTHER LIVES!" Now she flinched, her ears dropped slightly as her snout scrunched to a sneer. "I'LL THROW HIS MANGLED CORPSE-"

"Shut up!" Everything just feels so hazy... "You have no rights to-" I could just sleep... For a bit.

You can't keep sleeping all Sunday long! It's in the name! SUN-day! It's playing day, get out of that tree Catnap!

It's nice to do some exercises sometime.

I even brought some juice boxes for every critter after we're done!

Why can't you guys ever let me sleep? "Hey... Can you grab my leg?"

"Whuh?!" Venator nearly jumped and then flinched, "Oh Tartarus- we need to get you to a hospital and-"

"Just grab my leg." She raised an eyebrow, "Grab and put it like... Like it was right."

"Huh?" She looked at the small blood pool that was forming under my leg... Probably. I can't quite feel it.

"Like a jigsaw puzzle."

"I'M STILL HERE YOU FUC-"

Venator cut him short, "Shut the heck up!" I began to send all the dream walkers to stand on top of the stallionhole, she stepped away if a bit concerned. "Are- are you sure? I don't think I should touch it and-"

"Just do it, please."

The brown tabby grabbed my loose leg, her paws slightly shaking as she connected with the upper half of my leg, "This... is the knee right..? So it should be like this?" She turned my leg around a bit.

That looks about right. So, on the good side, Mend should still fix this. On the bad side, I'm out of Life.

Still have enough REM I siphoned from earlier though. This is going to suck. The REM stored at my first circuit started to swirl and divide itself, going both to my brain and heart. "So... What now?" Slowly, for every... four 'wisps' of REM one of Life was made, "Buddy?" It was a near-instantaneous conversion, but still, I was at two-fifths of my capacity I also felt a bit tipsy. It will do.

I remember once when I first met the crew we went to play tag on the outskirts of town, there me and Dogday got lost in the forest, we argued so much but in the end, became true friends. Life has a purpose, I recall the old scripture that monk once sold me, a simple yet effective method to use Life to mend wounds. Compared to other wasteful Arcanic auxiliary techniques, this was the best.

Did he have any descendants? Probably not, mules weren't popular back then... "W-wha-how-" I still feel sleepy, my nose still feels like it's bleeding. "How did you heal- what-" I try to fold my leg and it does smoothly.

She did a great job. "Thanks."

"How-" She shook her head, "That's what friends are for." Are we friends? See! Dogday, I did! I made a new friend! "Hey- Don't sleep, if you do-" I don't think you'll ever meet my new friends though, Dogday.

The rest would sure be happy to meet them too. "Hey!" I can't wait to go back... And tell them.

"What in tartarus you mean the livestock ESCAPED?!" I banged my hoof against the fine mahogany table, and the many trinkets from Baltimare, Manehattan, and Trottingham shook and nearly fell. On a side note, the expensive paintings on the wall did fall, slightly tearing the purple-gold paint in the process.

The grandfather began ringing. Eleven o'clock.

At my front, in a specifically designed chair to make the visitor uncomfortable, sat Butterfly. The 'Master of Disguise' sent by the Crystal Empire, Sombra never makes mistakes when he converts ponies, but this one is especially lackluster. Butterfly was now in the form of a small yellow filly earth pony, "T-the purple cat! He was an arcanist-" Yet his voice sounded like a drunk old man, why in the tartarus does he do that?!

"WHAT!? AND YOU LET AN ARCANIST GET AWAY?!" I nearly threw one of the expensive mini statues of a pegasi at Butterfly "Lord Sombra will be displeased to hear that his empire will take even longer to return..."

I stood up from my chair and turned my back, the mare in the moon shined brightly tonight, "It wasn't one of the Round Table warriors or the Engan Clan was it?"

"No, his arcane art seemed to be some sort of gas that puts one to sleep and then being capable of controlling those." So a master-grade arcane art... Where would a rogue find something like that?

I felt a tear sliding down my cheek, "Um, sir?"

"Why do I have to keep dealing with this?! Lord Sombra will be terribly upset now..." Then I stared back at him, "IT'S YOUR FAULT!" I jumped on the table, promptly knocking a plethora of trinkets to the ground, and slapped her across the cheek, "IF CELESTIA FINDS OUT ABOUT OUR OPERATION-" I curled up in a ball, and whimpered... "I don't know what to do..."

"Sir-"

"THE FUCK YOU WANT?!" I stood up and grabbed her by the neck.

"The livestock from Manehatten have been plentiful, even with our mishap the empire is to return sooner than expected." Oh. I let go of Butterfly, he began to change his body again, but the squirming never really settled right in my ears.

"Right. I'll send the good police to knock on their door and take the... Purple fellian?" I looked at Butterfly and he nodded, his new appearance of one of the Insurgence officers we sacrificed a few days earlier, brown coat and green mane with a small stubby horn. "Purple fellian tomorrow."

"If it goes wrong, we could always call it a demon." I raised an eyebrow, "The side effect of his arcane art seems to turn his eyes black and white. Plus, purple is unusual for fellians."

"Great thinking Butterfly!" I chirped, "Shoo now, I got an operation to set up." Butterfly nodded and skedaddled away.

So much to do, so much to plan... Oh lord Sombra, I cannot wait for your return!

Author's Note

I feel it—the pulsating, writhing of neurons receiving and transmitting, like little baby birds receiving worms from their parents.

What I mean is, I have an idea. Gonna try something new so the next chap might take extra long, but eh, it won't be that long. Might post again this month(No promises)!

Oh, right! Did you guys find any misplaced Leo? He was there on the mail at this chapter v1, if you do, do tell me! We must put that fur ball in his litterbox as fast as plausible possible!

Also, The spaces were messed up so it was all one big text when I first put everything here, so if you do find something that needs to become a paragraph, don't be afraid to tell!

I think that's all! Have a great day/night.