Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

“Oh, Fluttershy, thanks for letting us spend the night here. We really do appreciate it.” Carees said as he was given some warm, relaxing coffee, Fluttershy made. As Carees took a sip, it appeared as if all of the troubles in his mind vanished. “Oh, sweet light! This is incredible, Fluttershy! Thank you!”

Fluttershy blushed. “Oh it was nothing, really.” Fluttershy said as she got her bed robe out. “I'm sorry it didn't work out between you two and Ruby and Berry. It's a shame.”

“If they can fix it, I'll come back. However, I see no possible way that can occur.” Carees said as he laid back in one of Fluttershy's comfy chairs.

“Don't give up hope, Carees. One can get rid of hate, but never get rid of love.” Fluttershy said as she grabbed her sleeping hat.

“That be a fine quote, lass. Where ye here that one?” Cannonbolt said as he got comfortable on one of the couches.

“Oh, nowhere. It's just something I've made up and followed. I just like the sound of it... hey. Where's Cuddles, Cannon?”

Cannonbolt looked around the room, but there was no Cuddles. Cannon whistled for him, but he didn't come. “Oh, boy. Now where has that spiked laddie run off to?”

As soon as Cannon said it, the door opened. Quite in a hurrying sound. Cuddles came zooming in the bedroom, exhausted and panting.

“Cuddles! Where have ye been, lad?”

Cuddles shook his head and jumped behind the chair Carees was sitting in. He peeked out at Cannon.

“What do ye mean, laddie?” Cannon asked. Cuddles covered his face with his claws.

“Talk to me, Cuddles, I can understand you.” Fluttershy gently said. The raptor came out from behind the chair and walked over to Fluttershy and roared a few times. “... You were spying on Ruby and Berry? Again?”

Cannonbolt flinched. “How did ye understand him!?”

Fluttershy shrugged. “I really don't know. I was just born with the power. Animals and I have a special bond. Anyways, Cuddles, why were you spying on them? You already spied on Ruby, and her plan is over.”

Cuddles roared once more. Fluttershy's eyes grew bigger and bigger every roar that Cuddles made until... “Yaaah! Oh no! What are we going to do, Cuddles!?”

“What? What did he say?” Carees demanded.

“O... Oh my lord... this is really bad. Sad, too. It's also sad.  Why!?” Fluttershy was breathing heavily.

Cuddles shrugged.

“H... He.... He said that Ruby and Berry decided on a duel this upcoming day!”

Carees smacked his forehead with his hoof. “Idiots! This is worse than OUR fight 15 years ago, Cannon!”

Fluttershy gasped. “What are we going to do!?”

Carees looked down. “I don't think we can do anything.”

Cannonbolt stomped on the ground and stood up. “Carees, ye may talk all sophistimacateded, but ye be wrong there. We CAN do something. We can always do something. I just dunno what.”

Fluttershy thought really hard. “Umm... I have an idea... I don't know if it will work though.”

Cannonbolt comforted the shy pegasus. “Don't be scared of ideas, lass. Ye got something, say it!”

Fluttershy looked over. “Umm... okay. Here's what I was thinking...”

_______________________________________________________________________

“Bam! Bam! POW!” Yelled Berry as she hit a punching bag as hard as she could. She had a sweat bandana on, and man was she sweating. She was going to make sure she did not lose. She was practicing in the basement of the house.

Ruby was slashing away in the back yard at random targets. She was trying to focus on her accuracy of her hits. For a new swordsman, she was doing fine, but hatred and rage guided her blows instead of method and focus.

As Berry punched the bag a few more times, the door bell rang. Berry went to go answer it.

“Hello? Oh! Hello, Doc. Andonuts. How are you this fine morning?”

“Ah, yes. Berry, was it? How goes things?”

“Not too shabby! Just training for a fight comin' up soon.” Berry said, covering the truth as much as she could.

“Ah, yes. Indeed, I know both you and Ruby shall be victorious. I don't like to bring things to bring you down, but when the examination team was examining the big robot machine that fell, they found this note and asked me to give it to you two.” Dr. Andonuts handed Berry a rather poorly written note.

“Alright... let's see here... 'Dear Berry and Ruby, fuck you, escape pod. Love, Fassad'... Happy face emoticon.”

“Yes, I believe the being controlling the monster escaped at the last second. Fassad, his name is? Interesting... I believe I know that name from somewhere.”

“I hate him and you should too. He's an ass.” Berry put simply.

“Ah, yes. I can agree. Might Ruby be here?”

“Umm... yes, but she is busy. You want me to tell her something?”

“Oh, no. It's fine. I'll talk to her another time.” The doctor nodded happily.

“Alright then! Welp, back to training! Thanks for stopping by, Doctor.” Berry smiled.

“Oh it was really just to say hi. Have a good day!” The doctor bowed and left entrance. Berry closed the door and went outside to greet Ruby.

“How's the training commin', Rubes?” Berry asked.

“Not bad, what do you have there? I want it!”

“Chill your tits, mare. Geez, I can see why I'm going to try and kill you in a few hours. For now, though, I'd like you to look at this and sigh, moan, or say something negative.”

Ruby swiped the letter from Berry's hooves. “... Are you kidding me? Escaped again!? Damn, he's good.”

Berry stepped in. “I'll say. Can we shake on something? Whoever makes it's next goal is to kill this guy. What do you say?” She stuck out her hoof.

“Alright, I'll go with you on this one, Berr.” She said as they shook hooves.

“I still hate you, though, and you're gonna die today.” Berry said.

“Oh, I don't know, I'm pretty anxious to see you roll over lifeless.” Ruby said, calmly.

“Well, yes. I'm just excited to see blood spill from your face as you scream in pain!” Berry laughed.

“Oh, yes. I will slit your throat and sell your blood at your own bar... quite the thought, wouldn't you say?” Ruby chuckled meanly.

“Yeah, it is quite a thought. Know what would make it better?”

“Sugar.” Ruby answered.

Berry snickered. “You can still read my mind. I've been thinkin' all morning, what's her fighting style? Is she tactical or brawny? Is she brave or a pussy? How's her broke-ass face gonna look when she dies!?”

“If by me you mean you then I'd say you'd look pretty scared... paralyzed by how much awesomeness is about to slice your face in half and end your pathetic life. But enough talk, you have training to do, yes?” Ruby said, picking up Frostmourne.

“Oh, yes. Thanks for reminding me, Rubes! I was too busy thinking of how I am going to land my bloody, killing blow! I'll get to it! Thanks again, whore-slut!” Berry shouted.

“No problem, alcohol-pussy!” She shouted back.

_____________________________________________________________________

“...Hmm... I see where you are coming from Fluttershy. In fact, if we time it right, it might work! That's perfect! Fluttershy, you're a genius!” Carees shouted.

Fluttershy blushed. “Oh, really... it was nothing. It just popped in my head is all.”

“Well, you have a brilliant head!”  Carees exclaimed. “You still have the armor?”

“Yes, it's locked in a chest in my attic. I'll use my slayers though.”

“Great! What do we do?”

“Nothing. I must do this with only one other.” She said as she looked at Cuddles. “The last thing they would expect.”

“I see. Cuddles, you've served us better than anyone on this team. You must do this. Are you up to it?”

Cuddles nodded.

“It's settled. In three hours, the fight will begin. Yogg-Saron has taken note of this, and will most likely send one of his generals to destroy the town... again. Cannon and I will prepare ourselves in the city for whatever may come at two o' clock.”

“Alright... I'm not looking forward to this...” Fluttershy said depressingly.

“Nobody is, my dear. Nobody is.” Carees tried to comfort her.

_______________________________________________________________________

Two and a half hours later, Berry was in the living room, writing on a piece of paper. Ruby came in and looked at her awkwardly.

“The hell YOU doin'?” Ruby snapped.

“Oh, nothing. Just writing my will just in case I lose. We are equal after all.” Berry said, not stopping her writing.

“Hah! Well, then! I'm heading out there a tad early. See you out there! Good luck.”  Ruby said, walking    out the door. Once she closed the door, Berry muttered to herself.

“... Thanks... old friend... I'm sorry it had to turn out this way.” Berry sighed and put the paper down. “I will destroy that greediness that is inside you and bring back my friend... why am I doing this? My life is horrible. No! I must stay strong! This is a fight to the death, and I will bring back Ruby as we brought back Fluttershy! Ruby is nothing but a pain in my ass now, and I intend to end that pain!”

She grabbed Shadowmourne and headed out the door. The battle of infinite sorrows was to soon begin.