Ponycraft: The Maw of Insanity

“Nngh... W-- where am I?” Berry woke up in an unfamiliar darkness. A darkness surrounded by darkness. “Wait... I know this scenario...” Berry recalled it from somewhere. Then all of a sudden it hit her. “Ah! Where are you, demon? I know you're here, beast!”

“So you've figured me out? Clever remembrance, Berry.” The beast said. It was still  not in sight.

“You! You're the bastard who wanted me dead!” Berry said, she was punching the air.

“Ah, miss Punch... you misinterpreted that. See, I merely asked your friend a question. I wanted to get to know her, that's all.”

“Yeah, bull SHIT! Show yourself!” Berry's face was mean. The beast had appeared behind her.

“How cute. I believe you know what Ruby said to your friend Carees back a while ago? It wasn't hard to guess what went on behind that house.”

“So, what? Now you're stalking us? I said it was their business. None of mine. If they had sex behind the house, so be it! Ain't my love-life.” Berry crossed her arms.

“Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. However, how much time do you two spend together now that these two stallions are in your life?”

Berry gave the beast a dumb look. “Uhhh... a lot? Durr? We live together!”

“Ah, but these two stallions do as well. You and your friend are in love. You'd do anything for your lover, wouldn't you?”

“Of course! I'd sacrifice as much for Cannon just as much as Ruby and Kreese.”

“Ah, ah, ah. But who's the one showing off? Think about it. Ruby is the ultimate power, and Carees brought the town respect. What have you and Cannon done? Next to nothing! Everyone says “Ruby and Carees” are the cutest couple. Doesn't that burn you up?”

Berry rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. I'm a bit jealous, sure. But that's normal! Some can't be as good as others. Doesn't mean I'm worthless.”

“Ahahaha! Of course not! You are far from worthless. But as a hero, won't people look down at you and see a hero that can only learn up to Gamma spells and no weapon. You need to prove yourself worthy, no?” Yogg-Saron had her on the ropes.

“Sure, I can prove it, too! But you're the beast! The bad guy! Why should I even be listening to you?” Berry questioned.

“Dear, I am not the villain. I'm not evil. I am merely the conscience of your head. I'm telling you what is right. I'm on your side! I am you! I'm here to help you.”

“Umm... that's questionable.” Berry said. Her nerves were on their edge.

“You may look at me and see a monster. Carees, Ruby AND Cannonbolt may see me a monster, but I am merely you telling yourself what to do. Now! Join  with your true right side and prove yourself worthy to fight along side the greatest power in the universe!”

“But HOW? How do I prove myself?”

The beast laughed maniacally. “To the north. There is a former enemy base that was once tarnished. Within it lies a battleaxe.”

“A battleaxe? So what? I can make that myself.”

“No. It is the legendary Shadowmourne, battleaxe of infinite shadow. It's power is unmatched by any weapon, other than it's counter-part, but I shall teach you about the ice sword later. When you wake up, head out to the broken Pigmask base, and retrieve your weapon of power! Wield it, and fight the true evil that will invade soon enough!”

Berry looked down for a moment, and back up. “I'll be on my way tomorrow. If you are truly my conscience, you will be right.”

The beast smiled with all of it's maws. “Glad you can trust yourself. Now go on. Wake up, and go to your destiny, Berry Punch!”

_________________________________________________________________________

“Mmgh...” Berry awoke slowly with a groan. Cannonbolt was at her side. Without waking him, she got out of bed and looked out the window. “Shadowmourne...” She said quietly. “...I want it.”

She very quietly walked downstairs, aware of who was down there. She looked over to the couch to see Ruby and Carees cuddled up, hugging while asleep.

Heh. Reminds me of the night where Maneside opened.

With a grin, she stuck a sign on the door that said “Be back in a bit. - Berry”. It was time to head off. It was time to claim Shadowmourne.

Looking at the sunrise as she stepped outside, she was off. Time to collect the battleaxe.

She trotted there with determination on her face. What did the axe look like? Was it blue? Green? Red? Did it have a glow? Just how powerful was it? Berry couldn't wait to find out.  Running. Running through the forest. The blown up base was nearly in sight. There it was! In the clearing!

However, when Berry approached it, she noticed something was off. There were iron statues of ponies there. Those weren't there before. They looked as if they had blue runes on them.

“The hell are these?” Berry said. She had a bad feeling about this. She headed inside. The doors scratched as the broken steel scratched the floor. Inside, there were more iron ponies. What was the deal with these? They all were pointing in the direction the elevator was once in. This was getting weird. Berry approached the elevator with caution and pressed the button for it to come.

The elevator was good as new! Except for one thing, the buttons. They had all been smashed in but one of them, the Commander's room. Two more statues stood in the elevator with her.

The elevator opened, and the room looked almost identical to when they fought Fluttershy, except the statues were there again and they surrounded the whole room. In the middle of the room was a pedestal with an item on it. As berry walked closer to it, the shadowy mist around it faded and there stood a light blue battleaxe. It was glowing as whispers were heard by just approaching it. Berry ignored the whispers as tears came to her eyes. She had never seen a weapon like this... it must be hers. The axe was stuck in the ground, but with some force, it could have come out. Berry started to sweat.

She put her hands onto the axe's large handle. “Alright! This is it! I claim this axe, MINE! ALL MINE! Ahaha! Weee!”

The axe was slowly lifted from the pedestal. Berry opened her eyes to see just what she held in her hand. She laughed maniacally as she jumped up and down with it. Suddenly, just like old times, a voice came in through the loudspeaker. It made Berry jump.

“Good! You followed your inner conscience! You've achieved your goal! How does that make you feel, Berry? Do not worry, it is only me, your mind.”

“Ummm... Okay... and pretty damn good! Never felt better! How do I prove myself with this though? There aren't any attacks going on or anything...”

The beast laughed. “Uhahahaha! Let's change that, shall we? Show me what you're made of! Irons! Attack!”

The statues around her eyes lit up and began to move. They grabbed axes from their iron saddlebags and advanced toward Berry. “Too easy. Please.”

Flip, slash! Flip, slash! 5 of the statues gone. “How about THIS?” Berry slammed the axe on the ground. A shadowy mist came out and engulfed 4 of the iron ponies and obliterated them. “Haha! Easy peas-- what the hell is that!?”

Behind was a giant. An iron giant. It slammed the ground with a roar. “Stupid thing! I'll melt you! PK Fire Omega!”

The giant's arms fell off with a fiery explosion. “Time to die, buck-face!” She leaped up ridiculously high, and with one effortless slash, cut the giant's head off. Berry landed with an epic pose as the giant fell behind her.

“Heh... couldn't be easier.” Berry said as the voice from the loudspeaker spoke again.

“Good! However, an army two times greater than the miniature one you just faced is headed off to your home. This is your chance, don't let the others hog all the glory!” The beast encouraged.

“YEAH! My time to shine!” Berry cheered.

“The army shall arrive in Maneside within 2 hours. Just follow them and wait for the perfect time.”

“Yes, mind, sir!”

_____________________________________________________________________

“Hey, lass and lad! Y'know where me Berry went?” Cannonbolt asked, coming downstairs.

“Nope, sorry. There's a sign on the door that says she'll be back in a bit, though.” Carees responded. His arms were around Ruby, as Ruby was hugging him, still half asleep.

“...Carees, lad, how effin' close are ye to this girl? It's almost ridiculous!” Cannon said in a joking matter.

“Pretty damn close, you know? It's awesome having a girlfriend. You gotta agree with THAT, Cannon.”

“I can agree, even though Berry be a wee bit off the deep end of the Maelstrom. I didn't know ye two were so close, though!... Have ya.... y'know... got 'er in yet?”

Carees blushed. “Err... maybe...”

Cannonbolt broke out laughing. “OHOHO! I didn't expect THAT for an answer! Don't need to know the details! Haha!”

Carees chuckled. “Rather not explain them.”

Ruby moaned by his side. “mmph... Careesy... breakfast...”

Carees laughed his answer. “Hah. Alright, sweetheart, watcha want?”

Ruby grunted back her answer. “Anything in the... cereal cabinet.”

Cannon shook his head. “I never seen anyone so prone to waking up... let's force her up. Cuddles, go get her up.” Cuddles hopped up and down and curved around the couch to Ruby.

Sniff, sniff sniff. Cuddles sniffed right in her ear.

“Hehehe. Stop it, Cuddles! Hehehe!!!!” Ruby twitched.

Lick, lick, lick. He was licking her cheek. “Hahaha! Stop it, you-- HAHAHA!”

Tickle, tickle, tickle. Cuddles was tickling her sides, Carees watching and laughing. “Ya stupid-- Hahahaha! Quit! Hahahaha! Oh, hahaha! I'm crying! Stop! Hahaha!”

Carees grew an evil smile. “I didn't know you were so... ticklish!” Carees joined in with Cuddles. “Let's find her weak point and attack it for massive damage! Is it... here?”

Ruby was squirming like a worm, holding onto Carees. “No! Nonono! Stop! Hahahahahaha! I'm gonna kill both of-- Hehehahahah!!!!”

Carees was enjoying this immensely. “No? It's not? What about... here!?”

Ruby was pounding on Carees' leg. “No! Not there, please! Hahahehehe! HAHAHAHA!”

Carees' eyebrows lifted. “We found it, Cudds! Get her, right there, her side!”

Cuddles roared with happiness and attacked with all of his might. Ruby was crying so hard she could use her tears to form a new river.

“Stupid bastards! Hahahaha! Lemme go! Heheheheheahaahahahaha! I'm gonna kill you both!”

Carees signaled Cuddles off. “Alright, I think she's awake. Off, Cuddles.”

With one final lick, Cuddles headed back to Cannonbolt, who was laughing his flank off.

Ruby looked up at Carees, breathing heavily. “I hate you all. Especially you. Kiss me. Now.”

They leaned in and had a quick smooch, with Cuddles roaring in “aww” behind them.

“Well time to get that cereal for you.”

________________________________________________________________

At the breakfast table, they were having a quick bite, when they started to get concerned. Just where was Berry this morning? As they finished up, a knock was at the door. A loud, obnoxious knock. As Cannonbolt went to answer it, there was Fluttershy at the door. She was jumping up and down.

“Looks like you made more than a full recovery, lass!” Cannon joked.

“No time for jokes! There's an army coming toward Maneside! The things looked like they were made of iron! I'm scared! Eep!”

“Iron... wonderful. Carees, Ruby, and I will handle it. Berry will prolly show up. Don't worry. Go sound the siren to the city.”

“Y-yes, sir!” The yellow mare ran off.

“Grab yer weapons, we got a fight ahead o' us.”

Ruby made a joke. “I am my own weapon!... what?”

Carees hit her on the shoulder. “C'mon, silly. It's time we kick some iron ass!”

As they stepped outside, they saw it, an iron army of ponies headed toward Maneside's streets. Cuddles looked as if he was ready to maul a skyscraper in half.

“Go! GO! Don't let 'em wreck everything. Wreck 'em first. CHARGE!” Cannonbolt held up his bow Pointed into the air. Out of thin air, arrows formed. 3 of them, all on fire. THWAP. The arrows traveled through the air and hit 3 of them directly in the head and exploded.

Carees, Ruby and Cuddles ran forward at full throttle. Ruby shouted a spell. “PSI Shield Omega! PSI Counter Omega! PSI Offense-Up Omega!”

Carees swung through the crowd with Fireballs and Icicles, as Cuddles swung his tail and bit through solid iron. Giants and ponies came through, some on machines. They tore through them all. The siren finally went off to the city. Above them, the worst thing they ever saw passed over them, I giant missile. It hit the first building and exploded.

The lives wasted at that moment impacted them more than anything. They turned back to where it came from to see the biggest war machine they had ever seen in their life. Cuddles whimpered as it drew nearer. Ruby watched it, mouth open, frozen. It was a miracle she could even move enough to say “Holy fat mother of Porky”. The machine's humongous cannon pointed toward them.

“FLAME LEVIATHAN SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL. HOSTILE TARGETS FOUND. EXTERMINATION IS IMMINENT. BOW BEFORE LORD YOGG – SARON.”

“MOVE!” Carees yelled. A gigantic laser beam flew out of it's cannon. Four holes appeared on it's top. Rapid missiles started to fly out. As it hit the ponies, Ruby's PSI Counter reflected the missiles back at the Flame Leviathan. The monster of a tank barely sustained any damage. A few black spots and a small 3 inch dent maybe.

“I'm not letting this thing go any further! PK STARSTORM OMEGA!”

Meteors flew from the sky toward the Flame Leviathan. The earth shook as the meteors grew closer.

“DANGER APPROACHING. AUTOMATIC DEFENSE SHIELD UP.”

KABOOM!

Smoke was everywhere. The Flame Leviathan was nowhere to be found. There was a anticipating silence, as if it wasn't over.

“Was... was that it?” Ruby asked.

The smoke started to clear. Still no sign of the monstrous vehicle.

“...TARGET LOCKED.”

BLAM!

A missile came out of the smoke and hit Ruby square in the gut. It exploded and sent her flying into a tree.

The Flame Leviathan rushed out of the smoke. There wasn't even a scratch on it. It had put up a steel dome around itself to protect it from Starstorm. Ruby couldn't move, the pain in her side was too much.

“TARGET ELIMINATED. AQUIRING NEW TARGET.”

The tank shifted over and locked on to a green raptor. Cuddles looked up and roared.

“TARGET FOUND. DANGER LEVEL: 5. THREAT LEVEL: NOT THREATENING. AQUIRING NEW TARGET.”

I'll show YOU who isn't threatening! Stupid tank! Cuddles thought. Cuddles ran behind the Flame Leviathan. The tank hadn't noticed. Cuddles saw two screws and a hatch. Stupid tank! I'll rip you apart! Just need time!

“TARGET FOUND.” The tank said as it pointed to Cannonbolt.

“Oh, mother of ale!” Cannonbolt yelled.

“DANGER LEVEL: 9. THREAT LEVEL: THREATENING. EXTERMINATION IMMINENT. CHARGING LASER.”

Light was gaining in the cannon. This was gonna hurt.

“HEY! HOOVES OFF MY BOYFRIEND!”

Berry Punch ran in from the left with Shadowmourne in her hooves.

SLICE!

The cannon fell in half and the charge backfired. Berry ran over to her boyfriend, who instantly noticed the axe.

“WHERE DEH HELL DID YE GET THAT AXE!?” Cannon yelled.

“Explanations later! Time to defeat a tank! HYA!” Berry jumped on the tank and cut off it's missile launchers. However, a knockback push sent Berry flying. She did however land on all fours.

“LEVIATHAN WEAPONS DESTROYED. ERROR! ERROR! SUPPLY BACKUP GUNS!”

It pulled out the guns, but something was going wrong with the tank. An unexpected change of events.

“BZZT. BZZT. ERROR! ERROR! ENGINE WIRE 204 BROKE! ENGINE WIRE 113 BROKE! ENGINE WIRE- ENGINE W- EN-E-E-EN-ENGI-ENG- FLAME LEVIATHAN SYSTEM ACTIVATING EMERGENCY BACK UP WIRES. EMERGENCY BACK UP WIRES BROKEN. LEVIATHAN SYSTEM HAS DETECTED GAS LEAK. LEVIATHAN SYSTEM SHUTTING... Dowwnnn.....”

From all 4 came a big “WHAT!?”

Berry Punch looked furious. “Was I just robbed of an amazing battle? What happened!? I wanted to show off Shadowmourne!”

Suddenly noises came from the right side of the tank, something was making a hole from the inside. The tank's side burst open and out popped the head of Cuddles.

Berry dropped Shadowmourne. “...Are you kidding me? I can't believe Cuddles pulled that off. Impossible.”

Cannonbolt started to laugh. He laughed harder and harder. “AHAHAHA! Cud- Cuddl-- HAHAHA!”

Berry picked up her axe. “Well, it wasn't the victory I was hoping for, but that was quite the sight. Oh, yeah! Ruby!”

A spark just blew up in their mind. They all rushed to Ruby, who was leaning against the tree.

“No, no guys. I'll be fine... Cuddles, boy. C'mere.”

Cuddles came up to her with big eyes.

“...Good job, Cudds. Ya really kicked ass out there.” She said as she scratched Cuddles' chin. Cuddles quietly roared in relaxation.

Cannonbolt took this time to question his girlfriend. “Now that I got the time to ask, how the hell did ye get that weapon?”

Berry smiled. “Well, I really wanted to show you guys that I was worth keeping as a partner, so I my conscience told me to go find this at the Pigmasks' old base. I picked it up and left. There were a lot of iron pony statues there.”

Cannon face hoofed. “Berry... I'm angry. I'm sorry but I am. YOU SET THAT THERE ARMY FREE AND IT DESTROYED A WHOLE BUILDING AND PROBABLY KILLED A CITIZEN OR A FEW! How couldn't ye see that coming!?”

Ruby butted in along with Carees. “Wait what!?”

Carees look puzzled. “Cannon, explain what's going on! And what's that axe?”

Cannonbolt sighed. “That is Shadowmourne, legendary battleaxe of shadow! When Berry went to go get it, it awoke all those iron ponies and that blasted tank that destroyed half a building!”

Ruby sighed. “Ugh... BERRY! You're acting before you think again! Think for once! It could've been a trap... which it was!”

Berry felt like the biggest jerk in existence. “I... I'm sorry... I didn't... mean to... do anything...”

“You picked that axe up because you wanted to be a valuable partner? You idiot! You were fine! Now I don't know whether to judge you or trust you!” Ruby spat out.

Berry started to cry. “I'm sor-r-r-yyy!!!!! I didn't mean to! I see it now! I was never meant to be a hero!”

She grabbed Shadowmourne and started to run off.

“BERRY! WAIT! PK Paralysis Alpha!” Ruby shouted.

Berry's body froze. Ruby ran up to her. “You were meant to be my best friend. My partner, and you've come this far to give up? Ponies make mistakes. We aren't perfect. I'm sorry, I got too angry. As much as he says you can trust him, that he is your conscience, deny it. He's figured out every way to get to you.”

“I'm sorry I'm weak... I'm no use to you if I'm weak.” Berry dragged herself on.

Ruby smacked her. “Snap out of it girl! I love you, Carees loves you, and most of all, Cannon loves you! Friendship is the power we need to defeat Yogg-Saron, and we can persevere through all obstacles together.”

Berry was sobbing. Nopony had ever seen Berry like this before.

Ruby sighed. “Just... mmgh... PSI Healing beta...”

Berry suddenly could move again.

“Can... can ya give me a hug? Please? Just a hug? We'll get through this, okay?”

Berry reached out for a hug, still sobbing. “O-- okay... I won't believe a word he says!”

Cannonbolt came over with a depressed face. “I... uhh... yelled at ye too hard. I be sorry, my Berry. I get out of control sometimes...”

Berry smiled as she came over and kissed him. “It's okay, my wittle Cannonbolt!”

Cannon sighed. “Even when I be as tall as ye, I be called little. Such my luck.”

Carees butted in and changed the subject. “So, I'll call some of the officials to clean up and lock up the remaining metal from the tank. Let's go home, guys. I hate being near all these iron pony scraps.”

They all nodded and headed toward home. Another dream was to be had tonight, but this time, it would be a tad different.