Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

“Whahuh? Oh, here again. Algalon, are you there?” Ruby called out into the light.

“I'm always here, Ruby. Quite a show you put on yesterday. Very impressive. Do not celebrate just yet, though. Yogg-Saron is still out there, trying as hard as the beast can to create mischief.” Algalon said as he formed himself together.

“I know, I know. Al, can I ask you a question?” Ruby looked up at the being.

“Of course. I can give you all you wish to know about me. I picked you as the hero for a reason.” Algalon put emotionlessly.

“What is your back story with Yogg-Saron? You called him an “old enemy”.”

Algalon turned his head to the left. “... It was back on his home planet, Azeroth. Nothing more than the being corrupting the planet. I sought to destroy him to keep the planet in tact. However, as soon as it was revealed to me that the beast was a part of the villainous Old Gods, I was forced to retreat. Him and his brother, C'thun, were after me. The only thing I lack complete perfection in is combat. I was not designed for that type of encounter. I couldn't handle the both of them. Who knows? Maybe you'll have yet more adventures after Yogg-Saron is destroyed.”

Ruby blinked twice. “Whoa. Hold up there. Questions have flooded my mind. Azeroth? Isn't that where Carees and Cannon are from?”

“Your mates? Yes. That planet. It is full of warfare and death. That planet is dangerous, even to me. C'thun, Yogg-Saron and the other Old Gods give me trouble, so I leave it be. This planet, though... if Yogg-Saron is conquered, I can fix it's flaws.”

Ruby flinched. “Whoa, hold up there. Mates? Not quite yet. Got a long ways to go before that. They are merely our boyfriends for now, or “lovers” if you prefer that term. Anyways, who is 'C'thun'. What's his problem? He wants to wreck that world, too?”

Algalon nodded. “Yes. C'thun is the Old God of death and anger. Yogg-Saron is his brother, the god of insane hatred. They seek to rearrange the worlds the way they want it. Not even I can stop them.”

Ruby made a face at Algalon. “Psshh. Well duh. Anyone can see YOU can't stand up against them! Just saying, I'm calling you no weakling.”

Algalon  put his celestial hand to his chin. “I see not how you make your point. Explain.”

Ruby nodded. “Of course. You can feel no emotion, correct? Then you can not overpower him. Yogg-Saron seeks to drive your emotions to death. If you overpower that drive, though, you can overpower Yogg-Saron. You have no emotions to drive, therefore you cannot even so much as hope to lay a scratch on our enemy. It's not your fault. You cannot help it that you can't feel his force.”

Algalon nodded slowly. “Hmm... I see where you make your point. I now know why I chose you as the hero. You know the weakness of the enemy and can exploit it. However, I cannot. However, there is one thing I can suggest to you.”

“And what might that be?”

Algalon lifted his hands. “So far, you have done nothing to actually stop Yogg-Saron yourself. I believe the reason that you are having so much trouble with him is that you are letting him come to you. You haven't taken steps to act offensive yourself. If you let your guard down again, who knows what might happen.”

Ruby rebutted his argument. “But that's just it. We can't go offensive if we don't know where he's attacking from. Does he have a base somewhere? What!? I can't just... go attack nothing and hope I kill the god of madness!”

Algalon emotionlessly chuckled. “Ah, but I have not explained a vital detail. It is tomorrow you shall meet someone from your... lovers'.... world. She will appear in the park early afternoon. She will help you with Yogg-Saron. She specializes in magic spells. Not like the ones you have though. She is known as a “mage”.”

“A mage, huh? Well, I'll tell everyone.” Ruby said, smiling.

“Yes, do so. The sun now rises on this beautiful new dawn. An entirely new part of the adventure. You are now courageous, free heroes. It's time for you to defeat Yogg-Saron. You have my full support. In order to do my job, it is you who has to fulfill part one. Can I rely on you?”

Ruby stomped the floor as Algalon started to disperse. “Hell yeah you can!”

“Good. Now, wake up, and greet the morning sun. I shall meet with you later.” Algalon said as the last of him dispersed into the light.

“... Thanks, Al.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Ruby awoke peacefully on the couch, next to Carees. They both awoke at the same time and looked at each other.

“Algalon visit you in your dreams once again?” Carees asked.

“Yeah, he told me something kind of important.” Ruby said as hoof-steps were heard coming down from upstairs.

“Howdy, partners! Get a good night's sleep?” Berry asked with Cannon coming behind her.

“Yeah, hey Cannon, I need to tell you something. In fact, it would be nice if all of you listened in.”

They all surrounded Ruby, getting ready to hear what she had to say.

“Algalon visited me last night. He was telling me about Yogg-Saron, the Old Gods, and Azeroth. He said it's time we step it up and attack Yogg-Saron ourselves, and stop letting him attack us.”

Cannon gave her a weird look. “Attack him? We don't know where he is!”

“Maybe not, but a certain mage does! He told me that a mage would meet us in the park at early afternoon. He said she could help us, but nothing more.”

Carees and Cannon looked at each other and smiled. “Jaina!”

“Who?” Berry asked.

“Jaina Proudmoore! She's the reason we were able to get here. She's a brilliant woman with magic skills like you've never seen! It's a wonder she made it.” Carees said.

The front door opened as Cuddles walked in the house. He waved his claw in the air as he walked over. Cannon was ecstatic to tell him the news. “Cudds, boy! Jaina be alive! She's comin' 'ere to us!”

Cuddles' eyes grew big as he roared and jumped up and down with excitement.

“Yeah, I know, boy!” Cannon was jumping up and down as well.

“This is great! She can help us immensely with our adventure!” Carees shouted.

“She can!? Woot! This rocks!” Berry cheered.

“But for now, let's get some breakfast at Sugarcube Corner, what cha think?” Ruby suggested.

“I'm down with that.” Berry agreed.

_________________________________________________________________________

It was 12:30 P.M at the park. The heroes were around Dr. Andonuts' phase distorter. The stared off into the distance, hoping Jaina would show up soon. A familiar tap at the hoof caught Ruby off guard.

“Hi, Rube-Rube. What do? Boing!” The little Mr. Saturn said as he looked up at Ruby.

“Oh, hi Mr. Saturn! I'm waiting for another friend to show up like you did!” She replied, smiling.

“Another Saturn? Zoom!” The little... whatever it was... said, hopping.

“Not quite. Haven't even met her yet. She suppose to know a lot about magic.” Ruby replied.

“Magic? How intriguing, Ruby.” Dr. Andonuts said as they all turned to see him leaving the ship, coming toward them, hands in his lab pockets.

“Oh, hi doctor!” Berry said to the doctor, who tilted his head.

“Good early afternoon, Berry, Ruby, Carees, Cannonbolt. You mentioned a friend you have yet to see. Who might this be?”

Carees answered. “Jaina Proudmoore. She is going to help us tremendously with this monster we are fighting. She's very intellectual.”

Dr. Andonuts rubbed his mustache. “Is that what this sudden wind is about, or have you just noticed it because I just told you?”

Ruby face-hooved. “Take a guess.” she said as they all looked to the left.

Just like Dr. Andonuts' entrance, the wind started to churn in a circle. A flash of light made them squint as the wind picked up even more. Their hearts were pounding to see their new friend.

A woosh like sound effect pierced their ears as the light started to fade. As the light faded completely, a mare's body was dumped onto the floor. The mare had very blonde mane-hair, her mane was straight and curled off to the right mostly, and she wielded a staff. Her skin was a very light tan, and she was struggling to stand up.

“My lady Jaina! Let us help you up!” Carees exclaimed, rushing over to the wobbly mare. Him and Cannonbolt grabbed her hooves and helped her up. She shook her head.

“Carees? Cannonbolt? Is that you? Oh, what a relief.” The mare said, sighing and relaxing.

“So, this is Jaina Proudmoore, is it?” Ruby said, as Berry and her walked over to her.

“Y-- yes... how do you know me? Are you four all friends?” Jaina asked.

They all smiled. “You could say that... heheh.” Berry chuckled.

“I could? What do you mean?” Jaina was very confused.

“They're our girlfriends.” Carees said. Jaina gave him the “... for real?” face.

“Aha! But that's not important. What is important is that you were able to get a hold of us. I'm so glad you're okay.”

“Aye, me too! Cuddles, ye silly goose! Run an' get Fluttershy!” Cannonbolt yelled.

Cuddles jumped and roared as he turned and ran south.

“Oh, excuse me! I haven't even introduced myself! I'm Ruby Black.” Ruby said as she bowed.

“And I'm Berry Punch! Pleasure ta meet cha!” Berry said, winking.

Jaina smiled. “I've already pieced together who went with who.”

Ruby smiled as well. “I bet you have. So, how ya gonna help us with Yogg-Saron?”

Berry drew her weapons and started to slash them in the air. “Yeah! I wanna beat him up!” she said. She slammed Frostmourne and Shadowmourne on the ground. Jaina's eyes got wide as soon as she saw the weapons.

“Now, now, Berry. Settle down. We all want to beat him up.” Ruby put a hoof on her.

“Aww, but Shadow and Frostmourne are hungry for slimy, frog meat!” Berry complained.

“Frostmourne!” Jaina shouted as she jumped back in horror.

Berry looked at her. “Yeeaaah? What 'bout it? It's my weapon.”

“Th-- that weapon! How in the name of King Varian Wrynn did you get that!? That's the blade of the Lich King!”

Berry looked at her weapon. “... Dude, for real? Sweet! I've already sliced a giant's neck open with it. Hah!”

Jaina pointed to it with her hoof. “H-- how? How can you wield it? Only the most noble warriors may wield the blade!”

Berry shrugged. “I dunno. Guess I'm just that special! If these weapons choose their masters, and both of them chose me, I proclaim myself lucky! I love them! After all, I was the weakest of our team.”

Jaina got up slowly, still eying the blade. “But that blade, it's stole thousands of souls and harvested them into undead knights!”

“Well, if this blade didn't exist, my friend Fluttershy would still be dead, and she's happy to be a Death Knight. I'm not stupid. I use this blade for justice, not power.”

Jaina nodded. “I see. Sorry for bashing you, it just scared me for a second.”

Berry shrugged. “Pssh. Don't fret about it. So, how ya gonna help us kill of Yoggy?”

Jaina looked up, as if trying to decide how to say it. “Well... you have to go to Azeroth.”

Berry and Ruby looked at each other. “What!?”

“Yogg-Saron will not leave his home, the Ulduar. He will keep sending his minions here.”

Berry sighed. “Great. Off to a world that I have no idea about. So, when we going?”

Before Jaina could answer, Cuddles came back with Fluttershy, carrying the Slayers of the Lifeless. She was panting like a dog.

“I'm here! I made it!” She said before collapsing onto the ground. “I think my heart is still getting used to being alive... hoo! So, what I miss?”

Berry put her hoof up. “Well, we're going to a distant planet come soon to save the universe. So, Jaina, when are we leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning. There is no other time. I give you a night to prepare. I cannot allow anymore time. Yogg-Saron will decimate our world and yours if we don't take action soon. It will take you a while to get used to everything, but I'm sure you'll find it fine for stopping Yogg-Saron.”

Berry put her weapons back on her back. “Pshh... shouldn't be a big deal. I just wanna kick some insane frog ass!”

“Yes, however, I recommend you get used to Azeroth before you charge head first into the Ulduar.” Jaina suggested. “Grab your armor, weapons, and courage and meet me here tomorrow morning.”

Carees put his hoof on Jaina. “Do you not need a place to stay tonight?”

“I can supply that.” Said Dr. Andonuts, who was silently watching from the sidelines the whole time.

“Oh, a human! In this type of place?” Jaina looked puzzled.

“Yes, Dr. Andonuts, Miss Jaina. I would be glad to supply you of a night's stay in my ship.” Dr. Andonuts bowed.

“Thank you, kind soul. I shall take this offering. Get ready, you five heroes. Tomorrow, we set off for Azeroth.”

Cannonbolt flinched. “... This means I hafta shrink again, don' it?”

______________________________________________________________________

“Azeroth, huh? I didn;t know this adventure would lead me there...” Berry said later that night. They were packing for their trip. Cuddles was over at Fluttershy's helping with her packing.

“It has. Who knows what we'll turn into. So, Careesy, where we gonna end up?” Ruby asked her boyfriend.

“Most likely Stormwind City. It's the Alliance's main city.”

Ruby paused. “... The Alliance?”

“Ah, I haven't told you about the Alliance and Horde?”

“Uhhh... nope.”

“Alliance and Horde. Pure enemies. We kill each other at first sight. We are always at war.” Carees put.

“Wow... your planet really is a world of war. However, we're gonna save it tomorrow. I'm ready.”

Carees closed his eyes. “I sure hope so.”

“Well, I'm all packed up! Let's rock this shit tomorrow!” Berry shouted.

“Don't get too far ahead of yourself. As Jaina said, we aren't just gonna rush Yogg. We gotta get ready for our attack.” Carees said to try and calm her.

“I know, well I'm off to bed. Gotta get up bright an early tomorrow.”

Cannon agreed with her. “Yeah, me too. I'm with with ya. G'night you two.”

“Night. Well, Carees. This adventure has really spiced things up in our lives, wouldn't cha say?” Ruby asked.

“You haven even seen the half of it yet.” He responded.