Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

“That must be the sanctum of Freya!” Ruby shouted and pointed. Roots and nature poured out of the room. It was very bright in the room, almost as if it was outside. Fresh air even came from the huge room. A beautiful scent it was. While it carried the scent of victory and nature, it also carried a foul after-smell that smelled like helplessness. The beautiful scenery, as perfect as it seemed, was surrounded by a thick layer of soulless dark.

Thee heroes walked into the sanctum, awe-struck. How beautiful it was, but how ominous it seemed. It was empty... too empty. The plants seemed as though they breathed the air around them, and the roots almost sounded like they were moving. The mystical Freya was nowhere to be seen. Either that or they were absorbed by the natural beauty. It was the last thing they expected in a corrupted, underground base for an insane god. Then again, Ruby and Berry fought a giant pig robot, a man obsessed with bananas, and a 10,000 year old man in a spider-pig robot on their first adventure.

Fluttershy sensed something odd from her left and quickly turned. The heroes turned with her as she flinched.

“Fluttershy? What's wrong?” Ruby asked, looking at a huge flower with everyone else. There was nothing wrong with the flower to them. But Fluttershy, being the tree-imitating hippie she is, caught something.

She put her hand horizontal with her shoulder. “Stay back. That flower is deceiving you.”

Cuddles flinched and started to growl menacingly at the flower. She's right! He thought. Ruby looked over to Cuddles.

“She is?” She surprisingly asked.

Fluttershy turned to the dwarf. “Cannon, can you shoot the flower with a flaming arrow?”

Cannon's eyebrow went up. He shrugged. “Eh... okay... if ye want me too. It's just a flower though. Wouldn't it catch this here conservatory on fire as well?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “Not if it's what I think it is. Go ahead.” She nudged her head toward Cannon.

“Whatever ye say...” Cannon sighed, readying his bow. The bow made a shing-like noise as a blazing arrow formed on it. THWUMP! The arrow traveled through the air quicker than a bullet and stabbed the plant. The plant began to bleed, but remained still.

“See? What I tell ye? Nothing to worry about. Now let's put that fire--”

Fluttershy interrupted him and glanced quickly at him. “Cannon! When is the last time you saw a plant bleed red blood!?” She yelled.

Cannon scratched his head. “Uhh... I don't know... what's up with that plant?”

Fluttershy grabbed out her Slayers of the Lifeless. “The only thing that's up is that that plant isn't a plant at all!”

Roots exploded out of the ground all around them, startling them all. The demonic roots had a shadowy aura surrounding them as they pushed the plants out of the ground. The roots were covered with spikes as sharp as a dagger. Thorny and leafy vines erupted from the ground as well. From the pond near them erupted mossy, dirty hands which pulled out monsters covered with moss.

“I knew it! Time to fight, guys! Let's show these hippies nature guys!” Fluttershy excitingly yelled.

Berry quickly drew her weapons and sparked them by slashing them together. “Oh yeah! It's time for some REAL action, baby! Let's RAWK these nubs! HIYAAA!!!!!!!!” She shrieked as she ran toward the crowd of moss monsters erupting from the lake.

“I've been waiting for some action like this!” Ruby said as her eyes started to glow orange. “PK Shield Omega! PK Counter Omega! Get ready for some fire, planties!” She yelled as her hands began to glow orange. The plants rushed toward her, and Ruby had an evil smile on her.

“Ready for some good ol' fashion baddie sweepin', Cuddles!?” Cannon yelled to his pet, readying his bow. Cuddles roared menacingly. “Then let's rock these guys!”

Carees grabbed out his weapon and stared down the horde of plant-like elementals racing toward him. He sighed. “Well, no strategy, no plan, no nothing. This may be inappropriate of me, but right now, I couldn't care less. LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEROY!!!” He yelled as he ran as fast as he could into the horde. He was slamming them and disintegrating all of them left and right.

SLAM! BONK! BZZT! SLASH! FIRE-SOUND-EFFECT-THINGY!

They were dominating the horde like it was an every day bandit raid. They were having the most fun of times, even though the world was at stake. Something interrupted their happiness, though. Fierce stomping was coming from nearby, as if something was running. The hordes were all nearly depleted, and around the corner came one of the most monstrous, yet peaceful female creatures they had ever seen. Berry couldn't resist making some kind of smart-ass comment.

“Well, now we know whose milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...”  She simply said, stupidly staring at the giant's chest. Ruby sighed and facepalmed, while Berry laughed almost hysterically.

The giant left a trail of flowers in her path. She looked down at the heroes with anger. “Who are you to disturb this sanctum!?” She demanded.

The smooth talked spoke up first. “You must be Freya? I'm terribly sorry about all of this! These plants, they just jumped out of the ground and attacked us--” Carees was interrupted.

“No! None may enter this sanctum! You want to burn the nature down, just like that red ball demon did!” Freya shouted.

Carees squinted. “Red-balled demon? I do not believe I know what you're talking about. We aren't here to ruin or burn anything. We are here to cooperate with you! We need to defeat the evil lord Yogg-Saron, and without the Watchers' help, that's impossible and the universe will be taken over!” Carees attempted to persuade the giant. Freya merely huffed and crossed her arms.

“Hmph! I know you work for that Yami! That dark filled demon drove us all insane while he was here! The mad demon made me watch the world of Northrend burn! All the critters... all the life... dead!”

Fluttershy snapped. “That jerk! Nopony disturbs nature like that while I'm alive!!... or you, too.”

Freya shouted again. “NO! You're not fooling me! You work for Yogg-Saron and Yami! The Conservatory must be protected! Elders! Grant me your strength to defeat these evil doers!”

Berry shook her head. “Heads up, guys. We're in for a fight. Use fire and ice.”

Freya had tears coming from her eyes. “Children, assist me! Overtake these intruders!”

Plants again rose at her will. From the ground around her came all of these different rainbow colored plants. They all had a shadowy aura around them. Freya looked like she was in a mind of pain. It was time to free that mind from Yogg-Saron.

Carees called out to his teammates. “Cannon! You and I get the plants! Everyone else go for Freya!”

Berry saluted him, smiling. “Roger that, Kreese!”

Carees smiled. “It's been a while since I've heard that.”

Ruby chuckled. “Me too. Now let's go! Charge!” she ordered.

Berry followed that order a little more literally than she should have. “If you say so! HIYAAAAAAAA!”

Berry ran toward the running giant with all of her rage in one battle shout. Unexpectedly, she flew at the speed of a blazing arrow toward Freya, holding both her weapons out to make a misty line infront of her. Freya tripped on the line and started to lose balance.

“Wah-whoooah!!” She shouted as Ruby got her hands ready for a PK fire. Berry looked up at the giant and run between her legs, behind her.

Berry nearly tripped as she closed her eyes. “OH CELESTIA! Shouldn't have looked up at that moment! I feel dirty!” She said as she slammed the giant's foot. Freya started to fall over into Ruby.

“Alright, come here, Miss Nature! PK Fire Omega!” Ruby yelled as she released the PK Fire Haduken style. Freya closed her eyes as the firebolt hit her face. It flipped her whole body over onto her back as she screamed in pain.

“How you guys holding up!?” Ruby shouted and looked left. There were plant petals all over the bloody ground.

“Just fine, thanks!” Carees shouted back, chopping the limbs off a moss elemental.

Freya stood up. “Please, no! I just... I just want my nature protected from heathens!” She pleaded as she  swiped her hand across her face, getting most of the soot off of it. There was a black spot where the fire hit on her cheek.

Ruby yelled back at her. “That's precisely it, though! We will HELP you with that! Come to your senses, Freya!”

Freya started to cry once more. “I see only Yami in my vision... I can't... control it! Intruders will be destroyed! Please help me! No!...” Freya slapped herself. “Intruders shall die! No! Please, just a little more!”

Ruby flinched and put on a serious face. “Don't worry, Freya! We'll save you!” She yelled at the struggling giant. The giant lost control once again and came charging. She was getting ready to slam the ground. Berry sighed.

“Do all giants fall for this?” She asked. They both jumped out of the way and Freya's fist slammed the ground. Berry rushed back and ran directly up her arm.

“No! Puny creature! Get off of me!” Freya yelled as she attempted to grab Berry.

“Alright, time to redeem myself, Wander! Take this as my apology!” She yelled into the sky. Berry avoided all of Freya's grab attempts as she started to kick and bash the back of the green giant's neck.

“Augh! No! Yes! Keep going! No! STOP!” Freya was almost free of the control.

Berry chuckled. “That's what she said! Ruby! Now!” she looked at Ruby. Ruby nodded and slammed Freya's ankle from below. She lost balance yet again. Ruby went to the front to preform one last spell.

“...One... more... hit! Now heroes! Before he engulfs me again!” Freya pleaded as she leaped forward to Ruby. Ruby's hands grew light blue.

“Don't worry Freya! We've got you! PK Freeze Omega!” Ruby shouted. A block of sharp, hard ice flew at the falling giant and she closed her eyes again. This time, though, it was a much more peaceful face on her. The ice slammed her chest and she went airborne fifteen yards. Freya lay still on the ground.

The plants stopped attacking and retreated. The glow surrounding the plants had vanished. Carees and Cannon looked over, looking like chainsaw massacre victims. Carees looked over to Ruby.

“Is it over?” He asked. A voice that sounded like it was very much in pain responded.

Ruby sighed with relief. “I think it--” She stopped as she looked up. The demon was back, but this time, he came in for a full on approach. The sheer fact that he was near was enough to make the heroes tremble with fear uncontrollably. He edged closer with a very deep sound coming from his body. He greeted them in a rather scary fashion.

“Well! If it isn't my little heroes! Your going along exactly as I had hoped!” He said in a very mysterious, intimidating way. His voice made the heroes unsure of the situation, readying themselves for a possible battle with this unknown beast. Berry spoke up with all the confidence she had stored inside her.

“Who are you!? Tell us this time before you leave!!” She shouted. The demon glanced directly at Berry. His mouth opened once again, revealing the yellow, soul burning eye of darkness. The eye deteriorated the structure of her soul from the inside, and sucked all the confidence right out of her. Her blood turned cold and her heart stopped. All the memories of things she regretted she had done flew back into her mind by the sheer presence of the demon. It was as if the demon was the embodiment of evil itself. The demon realized his intimidating approach and sought out a way to fix it. He skeptically looked up with his eye, in thought of what he was to say.

“Oh, my sincere apologies, Ruby! I did not mean to sound so hostile to you all. I am here to ask for your help!” The demon said rather smoothly, and much more calmly. However, as much as he tried, nothing could settle the uneasy feeling that was just being within the presence of him. His mind blowing appearance could make almost any child weep with terror. The heroes were still not yet convinced of his plea, and by their faces, the demon knew it. He thought of his next move once again. “Please. You must listen! At this time, I may not reveal my name, but I can tell you my mission! I was sent here by my lord to investigate the corruption on this planet. I was tricked and bound by Yogg-Saron, and now I am stuck here! I must fulfill my duties as the vice-leader of my group! We are simply trying to bring peace across the world and maintain stability, and our leader is very much affectionate toward our cause! As his right-hand-man, I beg of you, defeat Yogg-Saron and free me from his grasp!”

Cannon looked dumbstruck and shook his head. “Hold up, there! Ye mean that ye are trapped here, and the universe may go amok if we don't free ye?”

The demon hesitated. “Uh... yes! Precisely! Life will be a mess! I must be freed! Please! I beg of you, help me!”

Berry made another brave statement. “No offense, but... uhh... you kind of look a little... demon-y... and... evil-y to be a protector of nature like that.”

The demon rolled his eyes. “That's what they all say to me. I'm merely trying to prove my worth in this universe and make it a happy place for all of us. I've never had that happiness, and I seek to have it!” He said proudly. He seemed trustworthy so far, but was it worth believing him? Either way, he was going to be freed even if they didn't like him.

“Well, we have no choice. Yogg-Saron will be vanquished, and the universe will be saved. You will be freed. We'll get you back in business with your people.” Ruby responded. She didn't know about how she felt agreeing with the demon, but it didn't matter in the end.

The demon gasped in joy and spun around in the air like a popped balloon. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, heroes! I promise I will show you my appreciation. But it is of now that I must take my leave... before he finds me.” The demon looked around, acting scared.

Ruby nodded. “Yes, you best get out of here before you are seen associating with us.”

The demon nodded. Behind him, a black hole like portal was forming for his escape. “Well, I thank you again! You must tend to the green Watcher there, no?”

They all glanced to Freya, who had begun to move again. She was very much alive and breathing.

“Freya! Oh, thank you for reminding me mister--” When Ruby looked back, the demon was gone. A mystery surrounded him. Just who was he? Ruby had other things to worry about at the moment, however.

They all rushed toward Freya, who struggled to get up. Once standing, she stumbled and put her hand against a wall to hold herself up. She was panting heavily, bleeding from her face and high chest.

“Freya! Let me fix you up! PSI Lifeup Omega!” Ruby called. The giant's cuts and wounds nearly disappeared. Freya looked at herself and laughed. She looked down at the heroes with a very happy smile with tears streaming down her face in happiness.

“After... after all these years... I'm finally free of their grasp. You creatures, no, heroes that saved me... who are you?” She asked. Her hand searched her body for cuts and wounds, in disbelief a mere phrase could heal it.

“Ruby Black is my name. And these are my friends, Carees, Berry, Cannonbolt, and Fluttershy. Not to mention Cannon's awesome companion, Cuddles!” Ruby introduced. Cuddles looked very appealed from Freya's appearance now that he got the chance to get a good look at the newly friendly creature.

Freya smiled and bowed. “Very nice to meet you! Well, as you guessed, my name is Freya, watcher of nature. You said you were on your way to defeat Yogg-Saron?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.

“That's why we're here, ma'am! Ready to kick some insane frog BUTT!” Berry enthusiastically put. She punched the air making her own punching sound effects.

“That's a big goal. Well, your first task is done, and I will do what I can to help you with it. For now, however, I can only tell you your next destination is through the hallway over yonder...” Freya pointed to a hallway, which a lot of wind was coming out of. The trees near it were permanently bent over because of the harsh wind. It had a lifeless, wintery feel to it.

“Watcher Hodir resides through there. You must free him and Mimiron. However... Tyr... he's a lost cause... there is no way to recover him. He is now General Vezax, commander of Yogg-Saron's army.”

Ruby shook her head. “I'm sorry for your loss. What of Thorim?”

Freya looked to her left and sighed. “Thorim will be hard as well. His wife was killed before his eyes by Yogg-Saron, and Yogg-Saron is manipulating Thorim with a fake wife that gives fake information. He believes whatever she says. I cannot do anything currently but root for your victory. Please, go on ahead, I must tend to my sanctuary.” Freya stepped to the side.

As they all passed through, ready to take on Hodir, Freya had one last thing to say.

“Oh yes! Cannonbolt, was it? Your raptor is quite the cute one.” She said, giggling.

Cuddles roared in happiness and blushed. He rushed over to Freya, who proceeded to bend down and scratch his chin and giggle more. Cannonbolt sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I never understand how pets get all the women, but the owners don't get almost any.” Cannonbolt said. He laughed and shook his head.

“You're so cute! Cuddles! I want you to do something for me.” Freya said to Cuddles. Freya's chest was hanging directly in front of Cuddles. As she scratched, her “nature's milkshakes” swung back and forth. “I want you to save the universe. If you do, I'll give you a present! Okay, Cuddy?”

Cannonbolt scrunched his face. “Oogh! That hurt me soul a wee bit...”

Cuddles shook his head fast, his heart racing. Freya stood up and smiled.

“Good! Now go get 'em!” She yelled.

Cuddles roared as loud as he could, turning around and speeding faster than he had ever before, crashing through the heroes as though they were bowling pins. Cannonbolt and Carees raced after him, trying to catch up. Berry and Ruby turned at her with huge smiles.

Berry laughed and shook her head in disappointing amusement. “Pshh. Men...” she said.

Freya put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “Always worked with Hodir!”