Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

Ruby woke up with no movement. She knew what she had to do and quietly got out of bed, not disturbing Carees, who slept along side her. She opened the door with caution. She looked back as the door whined. She took a couple steps past the door and stepped on a loose board  that made a loud creak and looked back nervously. Still didn't wake anyone up. She stepped off the board quickly and tip-hooved down the stairs with extreme caution. When she reached the bottom, she looked around. She started to open the front door. Thinking she was safe, she didn't realize she had awoken a very curious raptor. As Ruby left the door to the outside, Cuddles got up and decided to follow her. She was up to something, and Cuddles was the one to find out just what she was leaving at two in the morning for.

This is weird. Berry did the same thing, and she brought chaos to the town. I gotta investigate this.

Cuddles was no amateur at rogue behavior. Back in Azeroth, Cannonbolt taught him to sneak like a rogue in order to get in on orders given by hostile creatures. Cuddles was a pro at it. He waited half a minute after Ruby left the door to open it, so Ruby wouldn't notice it. After he opened the door, he looked right to see the backside of Ruby walking cautiously down the sidewalk. He started to sneak behind her, quiet as a mouse. It was almost pitch black outside. Cuddles had been trained to see in the dark easily, but not Ruby.

Is she heading out of town? She's going the same direction that the tank thingy was! What does she need at two in the morning!? I might have to pick a fight... I sure hope not.

They walked out to the edge of town, and Ruby began to head toward the forest.

That's the same direction Berry came from! Oh, no. Yogg-Bogg hasn't laid down Frostmourne, too, has he? I gotta stop her somehow! I can't just go up to her, she'll just tell me to go home! Should I attempt to knock her out in the forest? Aww, but that's mean! It doesn't look like I have any other option.

While thinking to himself, Cuddles accidentally kicked a large pebble that bounced across the ground. Ruby stopped.

Oh, feathers!

Cuddles turned left and right quickly. A trash can lay on the sidewalk. Cuddles quickly jumped behind it and crouched. Ruby turned around nervously.

She backed up and nervously called out. “H-Hello? Is anypony there?”

Cuddles was squatted uncomfortably behind the trash can, sweating. It held on for a whole minute. Ruby eventually slowly turned around and started walking into the forest. Cuddles held out behind the trash can until Ruby was around 50 yards away. He slowly peeked out from behind the trash can. She had continued on. Cuddles slowly moved closer to her from a distance. As she moved into the forest, Cuddles started to run. He ran into the forest, and kept a close eye on her off the beaten path from a safe 15-20 yards. He was as careful as a mouse. He didn't make almost any noise. If he did, it barely made any sound and the natural forest noise at night overlapped it.

Ruby started to mutter to herself, but Cuddles couldn't make it out. There was only one way to find out what she was saying, and that was to get closer.

Alright, Cudds. This is your moment. Don't screw this up, it could mean lives.

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Back at the house, Cannon awoke. He didn't know why or what, but something was bothering him. Laid still in his bed for the next couple minutes, he tried to figure just what was bothering him. He looked over and saw what was bothering him: Ruby wasn't there.

Wah? Where be Ruby? This isn't good.

He got out of bed quietly, not waking his partner. As he headed downstairs he quietly signaled for Cuddles.

“Oi! Cudds! Get up, hurry! We gotta go f--”

Cuddles was nowhere to be found in the house. He had gone out to follow her. Cannonbolt slowly smiled.

“That's me boy... wait... what we be doin' just sittin' round here!? She be after sometin'. An' that sometin' isn't good!”

Cannonbolt loudly ran up the stairs and opened the door. Everyone looked up. Berry didn't look too pleased.

“What's wrong, Cannon?” Asked Berry, who was angry that her sleep had been disturbed.

“See fer yerself! Look! Ruby isn't here, and Cuddles went out to follow her somewhere!”

Carees face-hooved. “Oh, no. Augh... RUBY! Forsake it all... she's after FROSTMOURNE isn't she? What happened to my Ruby? She's turned into a selfish--” Carees couldn't finish the sentence.

“Selfish whore?” Berry answered.

Carees sighed. “I hate to say it, but yes.”

Cannonbolt jumped. “Then don' just sit there! That will endanger the town! We gotta stop her from getting that blade.”

Berry moaned. “Augh... of course we do. Fine.”

Cannon squinted at Berry. “Don't be a selfish whore yourself, Berry. Get up and let's go!

Carees got up and grabbed his weapon.

Berry somewhat got up and grabbed Shadowmourne. “Let's get this over with.” She said.

They exploded out the door. “... Forest. Cuddles be in the forest. Let's go!”

Berry looked at Cannon. “How do you know that?”

Cannonbolt paused. “...He's my fighting partner. He and I share a special bond of sorts. 'Nuff talkin'! Let's move!”

Carees paused. “I'll go get Fluttershy. Head off to the forest.”

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Cuddles inched closer to Ruby, as she was growing more and more skeptical something was going on. She continued to mutter to herself. Cuddles listened as closely as his ears could.

“...Berry... Frost... showoff...” Was the only thing Cuddles could make out.

Oh no. Frost!? That must mean Frostmourne! What is telling them about these weapons!?

He edged closer and closer. The muttering was becoming more clear.

“... Show her!... Frostmourne will... Berry. Algalon... right. I can't let... all the attention!”

Algalon!? Algalon is invading her dreams now!? I hope Cannon has awoken. He has to get here, fast!

The clearing was just ahead, and Cuddles needed to strike soon, or she would have it. Frostmourne was merely minutes away.

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“Fluttershy!” Carees called as he banged on the door with impatience. The yellow pegasus opened the door with a pajama hat on.

“What is it, Carees? It's three in the morning. Is there something bad going on?” Fluttershy asked the impatient stallion.

“Yes! Ruby is off to collect a sword that is cursed! Please! Help! We have to stop her!” Carees yelled.

“Oh, no! L-let me get the slayers!” Fluttershy ran upstairs. She tripped on the way up. Within 20 seconds she came back down with the Slayers of the Lifeless. “I'm ready! Let's go!”

“Hurry, we gotta find and meet up with Cannon!”

They bolted out toward the forest, whereas Cannon and Ruby were already inside of it.

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“This is so bad... hold on Cuddles! We'll be there!” Cannonbolt yelled.

“I hope Cuddles can stop her from picking it, we might not make it.” Berry said.

“I hope so too, Berry. Please try and hold her off, Cudds!” Cannonbolt prayed as he ran into the dark-filled woods. Ruby was nearly at the clearing.

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“Here it is! The clearing! Finally, I get to have this weapon!” Ruby said to herself. She stopped in front of the clearing and smiled. “Time to show Berry not to mess with MY reputation!”

No... nonononono! I can't let this happen! I feel Cannon getting closer, but he isn't close enough. I have to stop her here! Please, Ruby! Forgive me!

Cuddles found a perfect spot to jump. I'm sorry.

A leap in the darkness startled Ruby. She turned to the direction and saw a black figure with gold eyes launching at her. She couldn't tell what it was and was too late to react.

WHAP!

Ruby was smacked by something sharp and flown against a tree. Off her cheek, she was bleeding. When she opened her eyes, the thing was gone.

“Ah! I knew something was following me! Come on out, and tell me who you are!”

She looked around but saw nothing. She readied herself in a fighting stance. Left, nothing. Right, nothing. Straight or behind her, nothing. Then, from above, the being whacked her with it's sharp tale once more. She closed her eyes in pain. Again, before she could see it, the attacker vanished in the forest.

“Please stop! I just want to talk!”

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“Do you think they've caught up to her yet?” Fluttershy asked, flying next to Carees, who was running as fast as a buffalo.

“I don't know. But Cuddles is the one who followed her out, he's with her, whether she knows it or not.”

Fluttershy paused for a few seconds. “...I hope he's okay. Please, Cuddles, hold your ground. We'll make it.”

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Not too far ahead, Cannonbolt and Berry were still sprinting. They were within half a mile of the clearing.

“C'mon, Cudds! Don't fail us! You can do it!” Berry hoped.

“I trained the lad fer stealth! He's more than capable of foolin' with her fer a while.” Cannonbolt added.

“I sure hope so. We believe in you, Cuddles. Don't let her get that sword!”

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“Come on! I just want to know why you're attacking me!” Ruby yelled, frantically looking in all directions.

You know why! Frostmourne! That's why!

“Frostmourne!? That thing will help me! Maybe you forgot I'm psychic! I know what you are thinking!” Ruby threatened.

Drat! She knows I'm left of her!

Ruby quickly turned left as Cuddles came around from the right and pummeled her side. He ran back into the forest.

“What the heck!” She yelled.

She fell for the oldest trick in the book! Come on, Ruby! I thought you were a tactical horse! Comin' from the left, now! Prepare yourself.

Ruby looked left and right, but the blow came from the tree tops above her. She fell over. “Hey! Who are you!? I don't know that voice.”

Cuddles hid in the bushes. I'm the stealthy one with the sharp blades of justice! I'm here to stop you! That sword will endanger lives! That's not a hero's job!

“We've conquered an army before we can do it again!” She yelled.

Cuddles picked up a large rock and threw it in her direction and sprinted. Ruby looked angrily at the bushes. Cuddles came around from behind her and hit her with his hard, sharp tail. Ruby gained another bleeding cut up on her face.

You're being outsmarted by an animal.

“Animal!? You aren't... no! I refuse to believe my ass is getting handled to me by...”

“Ruby Black!” Came a call from behind her in the forest. It was Berry and Cannonbolt.

“Dammit! Screw you, who-I-think-you-are!” Ruby turned around and ran for the opening. Out in front of her jumped the beast who had fought her. Cuddles the Raptor.

“Are you KIDDING ME!? I got my ass handled to me by CUDDLES!? Move it! PK Fire Gamma!”

A bolt of fire hit Cuddles and flew him out of the way. He landed with pain in his shoulder, whimpering.

“Sorry, Cudds, but this is my moment!” Ruby raced toward the old Pigmask base. Cannonbolt and Berry came rushing out of the clearing and chased after Ruby. However, when Cannonbolt saw his injured partner, he stopped.

“Go! I need to comfort Cuddles!” Cannonbolt signaled as he turned left. Berry raced on inside, following Ruby.

Not too soon after, Carees and Fluttershy came out of the clearing.

“Don't worry bout me! Go!” Cannon yelled as they continued to run

Carees and Fluttershy continued inside, hoping Ruby hadn't pulled the sword yet.