Lone was panting for air as he unleashed a massive blast of raw Centaur Magic in the air. *PANTING*” he said as he got back on all four as he turned to see Neo, Queen, the PHBs, Hubby, Wifey and their kids looking at Lone with frightened and horrified looks. “Sorry… I needed to release some frustrations inside me as he sat on the large rock as the others came to comfort him of his stress.

“PII…”

“BEE…”

“Uh… are you okay?” Asked Neo, who was on Warrior’s head scared, Lone looked at them.

“No… I didn’t expect to be on the 99th floor. I heard about the Tower having powerful monsters on the highest floors, but it would explain the bear.” Explained Lone who turned to Neo. “Wait… Neo?” Neo looked at Lone “How did you get here without getting attacked by the monsters?” He asked as Neo smiled and showed his badge.

“My Peddler Certificate is the reason, meow.” He said proudly showing the copper badge.

“Peddler Certificate?” Said Lone as he looked at it carefully.

“This badge shows to anyone that you’re a peddler, meow. You have to pay a high annual membership fee to keep your status meow.” He explained “The higher your level, the higher the membership fee you pay, plus the benefits that comes with it, Meow.” Explained Neo as Lone raised his brow.

“Hmm…”

“Peddler Certificate Holders like me are entitled to protection from the association as well as many amenities.” Spoke Neo “One of the benefits is that I’m free from monster attacks, meow.” He said as Lone thought back on what he said before about the Waypoints.

“Can you bring Hunters to Waypoints without facing any monsters or the bosses?” Said Lone, Neo shook his head.

“Nope. Not even Peddlers would help hunters to do sneaky ways like that. Against the rules, I might get a bounty on me for my arrest.” Answered Neo.

“Hmmm… How do you get to certain floors? The Waypoints?” Asked Lone.

“Nope, there’s the Peddler Pathway for Peddlers to use to go to certain floors within 5 days. Less days depending on if the floor is closer.” Explained Neo as Lone started to think.

(“5 Days to go to the 38th floor… which gives him time to be here with us. Maybe I can use his remaining days to get him to buy somethings for me.”) Thought Lone as he turned to Neo while looking at his badge.

“Can I become a Peddler?” He asked as Neo looked at him but shook his head.

“I’m sorry but only natives born in the dungeon of the Black Tower can peddlers.” Explained Lone who punched the ground which made a hole.

“Damn it… I thought I could find a loophole.” He said as he got up and turned to everyone. “I’m hungry, let’s eat.” Spoke Lone as he got up to cook some food.

Ponyville, Fluttershy’s Cottage
Discord was pacing in a hamster wheel freaking out as some animals were out except for Angel Bunny who was trapped in gelatine “AAAAAHHHH!!! OUT OF ALL THE THINGS THAT COME BACK TO HAUNT ME… THAT SPY HAS THE ONE THING THAT CONTROLS ME!!!” He yelled in anger as he stopped and turned to Angel Bunny who was still in the gelatine. “Even if you can’t hear me, we’re in big trouble.” He said as he grabbed the gelatin.

AUTHOR’S NOTE; IMAGINE DISCORD TALKING ABOUT HIS PAST AS A 2D PUPPET SHOW

“I haven’t told anyone, even Fluttershy about certain parts of my past but this one is one of them. I was once a member of King Vorak’s council before any of you were born. Before I became a member of his council, I was unleashing chaos all over Equestria but I started to get bored of my endless pranks; the heroes trying to stop me, Celestia and Luna failed to stop me before they got those Elements of Harmony, I was unstoppable which made me annoyed since the results always come out the same; I always win.”

“…”

“So, I went to Tirek’s land for some fun, except learning how it was drained of magic but if it's void of magic, no annoying magical heroes will stop me.” He said as he bounces the gelatine like a basketball. “I was having the time of my life until I met King Vorak, Tirek & Scorpan’s Father. He demanded that I should revert his land or else, but I chose the ‘or else’ choice and it backfired on me. King Vorak had an ancient mineral that could not only absorb a creature’s power but a piece of their essence.” He said in horror.

“…”

“If you don’t know what an essence is, it’s like your lifeforce is stolen from you and King Vorak did that to me.” He said sadly “The stone he used to steal not only my essence, but my freewill.”

“…”

“Any creature who has that not only is protected against me, but I have to obey them without any resistance. That Aku girl could force me to attack Equestria to protect herself. He complained as he dropped Angel Bunny who bounced in front of him. “What am I going to do?” He complained as Fluttershy was outside her door and heard everything. She silently gasped and looked at Canterlot Castle.

Scorpan’s Castle
Scorpan who was still frozen in a block of ice was presented with a wooden bowl of cherry tomatoes. “Are these the cherry tomatoes my hunters are raving about?” He said as one of his butlers nodded.

“Yes, my king.” Said an old centaur “My son has bought them from a peddler he ran into.” Explained the Butler.

“So why have you brought these to me?” Scorpan demanded an answer.

“I had my son write down the information on these.” Said the butler as he showed a scroll of the information about the cherry tomatoes.

“Magic Cherry Tomato?” Said Scorpan as he looked at his butler “What would I find interesting in these?” He said as the butler looked at his king.

“These magical foods not only remove body fat but also restore a bit of a creature’s magic.” Explain the butler which widens Scorpan’s eyes.

“Magic?!” He yelled in rage.

“Yes. Perhaps these will aid you in releasing yourself of your prison of ice.” Said the butler while Scorpan looked at them and smirked.

“Get more of them.” Said Scorpan “Also find our adventurer who was once a farmer. I’ll see if he can create a farm within the tower to grow these tomatoes.” He said as if his eyes glowed ominously. “Now feed me one of the tomatoes.” He said as the butler fed him one as he glowed a bit “I felt my magic restoring a bit.” The ice encased Scorpan cracked a bit as his mages who were melting the ice noticed it.

Lone’s Farm
Lone was cooking fish and skewered some cherry tomatoes with fish bones and made some cherry tomato juice with honey for them. “Enjoy your meals.” Said Lone as they ate along with Lone while Queen PHB and her baby bees were pouring honey into his glass jar. Lone ate his fish as Neo went to him.

“Uh… Lone…”

“Yes?”

“What was that you did before? Why did you… scream while firing a big beam from your horns?” He asked

“I screamed because you told me what floor I'm on. The 99th Floor… the highest floor of the tower which holds the most powerful monsters live.” Said Lone as he looked at the bunnies “I thought I could escape and see my brother, but I can’t now.” Said Lone sadly as the entire bunny family looked sad for him.

“PII…” Neo looked at him.

“But how did you get here?” He asked.

“A portal appeared before me in my cave, but it started to vanish when I thought it would take me in but didn’t. So, I ran head first because in my own land, all races in my land are prisoners because of a magic-hating king and his son. Entering the tower was the only way to remove the runes placed on me and any other of my people.” Explained Lone as Neo lowered his ears and the bunnies as well.

“You were a prisoner of your own land?” He asked.

“PII…,” said the bunnies.

“Yes… but the chains were mystical. All of my people are unable to escape from our land, anyone who can use magic is captured and imprisoned unless they pledge their complete loyalty to him. Those who refused, they died there.” He explained which disgusted them.

“How cruel…,” said Neo.

“It’s always a cruel world. The race I despised always lived with luxury while the others like me try to survive. Those creatures are the laziest of all and I wish for them to for the Apocalypse, Armageddon and Doomsday make them suffer for their arrogance.” He said as if his eyes glowed ominously.

“PII…” They all said.

“Uh… should I refuse to sell them your crops?” Asked Neo.

“No… I would like them to buy them. I can’t wait until they learn that they’re buying those tomatoes and blueberries from a centaur.” He said while smirking as Neo sweated.

“Yeah…” He said as he looked away.

“Well now that’s settled. I believe it’s time for the [Farmer’s Tool Shop] to open.” Said Lone as the screen appeared.

Activating [Farmer’s Tool Shop LV.1]

Merge Bank Account: 41.8 Dungeon Coins

• 10 Flower Pots 1 Dungeon Coin
• 3 Tin Buckets 2 Dungeon Coins
• 5 Storage Boxes 5 Dungeon Coins

“Flower pots?” Lone looked at the cherry tomatoes “Nah…” He looked at the other choices on the list “Buckets? Hmm… tempting.” He looked at the last on the list “Storage boxes? What are those?” He looked at Neo “You know what those are?” Neo looked at him and smiled.

“Of course I do. They’re very useful for holding food or other items.” He said “But…”

“But?”

“I personally never saw them myself but they are mostly used on my massive farms.” He said as Lone put some thought into it. “They also extend the expiration life of food for a bit longer than their regular expiration.” Explained Neo as Lone looked at the list.

“Very well… boxes it is then.” He said as he pressed the 3rd choice.

YOU HAVE BOUGHT 5 STORAGE BOXES

LONE, 5 DUNGEON COINS WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM YOUR TOOL SHOP ACCOUNT.

YOU HAVE EARNED 50 TOOL SHOP POINTS.

YOU ARE 40 POINTS AWAY FROM THE NEX PROMOTION.

5 Wooden boxes in the height of the bunnies appeared as Lone examined them. “Huh… I thought they were bigger.” He said as he examined them.

[Storage Box] x5
Made with the finest wood made from a Treant. The wood is impervious to rot but breakable. Can hold up to 1000 items at a time. Has no limited usage.
Rank: C

“These boxes have no usage and can hold up to 1000 items each!” He yelled as he turned to them “We’ll be separating our food with what we’ll be selling!” He cheered as they looked excited as he pulled out his rusty dagger and carved a cat’s face on it.

“What are you doing?” Asked Neo.

“Making sure you know what to take and sell.” He said as he turned to them. “You want your own storage box?” He asked the bunnies who refused as they already made their own storage.

“PII.”

“Oh well, I mean you can have your own storage for the carrots for yourselves.” He said as he moved the boxes aside and carved what should be stored as he looked at the bees. “Neo.” Asked Lone as he was eating a grilled fish. “What monsters are outside this hole?” He asked Neo to look at him.

“I didn’t see many monsters around the hole. Except the territory that belongs to the bear couple.” He said which made Lone’s ears straight up.

“Bear couple?” He said in fear.

“Yes, but they live far away from here. They’re a Scarlet Grizzly Bear and a Cobalt Grizzly Bear.” Said Neo which made Lone’s eyes widen.

“There’s another bear with the red one!” Yelled Lone in shock. (“I hate to imagine their sleuth.”) Neo trembles in fear.

“I still fear their stares at me.” He said that the bunnies looked worried as Lone snarled.

(“Leaving the cave isn’t safe but at least a 1000 cherry tomato flowers will be blooming soon, and more flowers means more bees will be born. Either using an army of PHBs or a large amount of honey will make them obey me.”) Lone thought to himself while Neo was acting like the bears as Warrior & Mage were prepared to attack. Lone looked up. (“I’ll get the bees to scope out the area to make sure the coast is clear and finally… I’ll be free.”) He thought but stopped and realized something important. “Neo.” The cat turned to Lone.

“Yes?” He spoke.

“Let me teach you how to haggle.” Said Lone.

“Haggle?” Asked Neo as he tilted his head.

“Yes, and tell me something, can you get yourself another bag to carry more than you have?” Asked Lone.

“Actually, I can upgrade it, but I need to earn more coins to buy it. 10 more to be exact.” Said Neo as Lone looked at him as Lone smirked.

“I’ll give you a loan, but you need to buy me some things after you sell out.” He said which scared Neo.

“A LOAN?! NO WAY!!! I WON’T BE SENT TO THE MINES!!!” He yelled as he got on 4 in his defensive aggression.

“Mines? What mines?” Asked Lone as he looked at the bunnies who shrugged their shoulders.

“PII?” They said Neo looked scared.

“In the tower, loans are both helpful and dangerous. If you’ll get your money, but a short time limit on repaying it back. You’ll be sent to the harshest mines to repay them back.” He said while trembling.

“Uh Neo?” Neo turned to Lone “You earned a lot in selling them. I think you’ll repay it in time.” He said, which made Neo look at him and sighed.

“Oh… right…”

“Now, listen to what I have to say.”

A FEW DAYS LATER, THE 38TH FLOOR”
Adventurers were at their own base as Neo came to see them. (“There are more customers than before meow. They did set up base for me?”) “I’m fine with that and with what I bought with me, they’ll enjoy it for what I got.” He said to himself as he jumped off the cliff and landed near some adventurers who they turned to see Neo. “I’m back!” He yelled, which got all the adventurers running to him.

“HE’S BACK!!!” roared a ♀ Yak as multitude different creatures of Equestria crowded him as a Large ♂ Minotaur in armor appeared holding a large sack.

“Little cat! Do you have Magic Cherry Tomatoes? I’ll buy them all!” He yelled while the other creatures blocked him.

“No way!” Yelled a ♀ Doe, “Others were here before you! Including myself!” She yelled as the other adventurers yelled in anger.

“What? I want them to get my mother-in-law off my back! Anyone with one can understand that!” He yelled as some adventurers shuddered in fear as they recall the bad memories of their in-laws nagging them. Neo cleared his throat.

“Attention all creatures from outside the tower! Here me out meow.” He said as he got the creatures to stop fighting. “There’s a change around for what I’m selling, Meow.” The crowd of creatures looked confused as if Pierce came up.

“What do you mean ‘change’?” He asked while sounding worried.

“Starting today, I’m doing an auction! I have 2000 cherry tomatoes, but I will sell 500 cherry tomatoes to the adventurer who offers the highest bid!” Yelled Neo to alert them as they looked shocked and confused.

“Sorry but those must leave if they can’t afford to buy them! 500 Cherry Tomatoes! Starting bid, 5 Dungeon Coins meow!” He yelled as the crowd made their bids.

Lone’s Farm
Lone was collecting cherry tomatoes with the bunnies as he was, he was collecting them in a green onion leaf bowl. (“These tomatoes are far more popular outside The Tower. I can imagine the fighting over it. Given its taste and weight losing properties, the heaviest of Alicorns might want it. I forgot which one is the heaviest; the one with the head that weighs more than her muscle or the one with the large flank that shines every morning.”)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Remember, all centaurs and gargoyles who aren’t loyal to Scorpan absolutely hate ponies and any of their allies. I mean why did I add training dummies in the form of Twilight, Thorax and their friends?

“Hey Hubby, Wifey…” Said Lone as they both turned to him.

“PII?”

“Never be addicted to the cherry tomatoes.” He said which confused them as Lone placed the ones he collected to place them into Neo’s sell box and to his box. Lone continued to collect more tomatoes as a screen appeared.

ARE YOU OKAY?

“I’m okay.

YOU WERE A BIT ANGRY? WHAT MADE YOU MAD?

Lone looked at the screen. “I just learned I’m on the 99th floor and I can’t leave without fighting against all the powerful monsters… I’m trapped for life.” He said sadly which made the Tower Administrator think a bit.

…

Tower Administrator’s Floor
The black dragon looked worried “Oh dear… I forgot that he got here by accident and worst of it; I was planning to kill him to erase my mistake.” She said to herself. "Maybe a new skill will cheer him up?”

[NEW QUEST]
OFFER DRINK TO THE TOWER ADMINISTRATOR
REWARD: ONE OCCUPATIONAL SKILL
REFUSAL: NO SKILL

Lone looked at it and sighed. “Very well.” He said as he went to his juicer to make his juice “He made it in a large green onion leaf cup as he sent it to the Tower Administrator. Lone got himself his reward.

[Quest Reward]

You have earned a special occupational skill as a quest reward.

[Beekeeping LV.1]

Special occupational skill
- [Beekeeping LV.1] registers the user’s Poisonous Honey Beehive as a skill.

You have registered the maximum number of beehives allowed in special occupational skill – [Beekeeping LV.1]

Lone blinked as he bowed to the screen “Thank you Tower Administrator.” He said as The Black Dragon smirked, “But I have one question for you.”

?

“What is your race?” He asked as The Black Dragon looked a bit worried.

Uh… You’ll know, when you reach a higher level.

Lone blinked as he sighed (“Only time will tell.”)

Canterlot Castle, Twilight’s Throne Room, few days earlier
“There is a what!?” Screamed Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Spike, and their friends as they surrounded Fluttershy who got scared.

“EPP!!!” Yelled Fluttershy as they backed away.

“Our apologies.” Said Luna, “Now please tell us if what you spoke of is true? You eavesdropped on Discord speaking of a spy within Equestria but also has an amulet that controls Discord’s very essence?” She asked as Fluttershy nodded.

“Yes. Discord said that this female centaur has an amulet that not only protects her but can order him without any resistance.” She explained as Rainbow flew above them.

“You mean there was something like that in Tirek’s kingdom that could make Discord behave!?” She yelled “We should have that to prevent another Grofar incident.” She complained.

“It's Grogar!” Yelled Twilight “And having that could be dangerous!” She said “Imagine a creature who hates Discord would use it to have Discord banish himself permanently or worse.” Twilight spoke which made them flinch since the refugees of Tirek’s Kingdom would force him to free Tirek and have him kill Scorpan.

“There must be a way to get it but this Centaur spy, Fluttershy. What is her name?” Asked Celestia.

“Spy?” All the ponies turned to Niobe “Which creature you decided to send? The disgrace False King Changeling or your dragon assistant who will be stuffed so easily?” She said as Spike smiled.

“I don’t mind being fed.” He said as if Niobe looked annoyed.

“He’ll be the 1st to go.” She said in a dull tone as Luna stood in front of her.

“No child. It is a centaur spy from your nation.” She spoke.

“Well eliminate the spy already or you don’t have the no-existing balls to do it.” She said as some turned red in hearing such language from a child as Celestia appeared in front of her.

“We do not do that.” She spoke.

“Yet you get other creatures to do your dirty work for you or clean up your mistakes?” Niobe questioned her as Celestia did not answer as Applejack stood up to her.

“Listen here, brat! I learned the hard way that your home is a horrible place to be born where a friend is now the villain but that doesn’t allow you to blame others for it!” Said Applejack.

“Even if they’re responsible for it?” Asked Niobe “Face it, if your 2 princesses never banished Lord Tirek, Scorpan would never become the tyrant we suffer under. How’s that for your dumb friendship lesson? Your actions will have consequences, even if it was an act of harmony.” She said to Applejack, who didn’t answer because she didn’t know how to answer that. Twilight trots towards her.

“Even if we can’t undo the past, it shouldn’t define what our magic is.” She said “Listen, we have a Centaur Spy from Scorpan’s army! Do you know of a female Centaur named Aku?” She said as if Niobe looked horrified.

“What…” She said which shocked the ponies and Spike since they never see them showing true fear of any kind. “A-A-A-A-Aku…?” She said while trembling as she looked around at every location. “SHE’S HERE!?” She screamed as if she ran away from them.

“NIOBE!” Yelled Twilight as they followed her. They followed her to the barracks as they saw the refugees were making dummies of Discord.

“DEATH HAS COME FOR US!!!” Screamed Niobe as the other centaurs and gargoyles turned to her “AKU IS IN EQUESTRIA!!!” All centaurs and gargoyles dropped their weapons and dummies.

*SCREAMS IN HORROR*

“BARRICADE EVERYTHING!!!”

“ARM YOURSELVES!!!”

Twilight sees the gargoyles and centaurs were sharpening weapons and bringing trees to remove their branches and sharpening them into large wooden stakes, even melting scrap iron into pikes. “What is going on?!” Danae was holding an axe.

“We’re trying to protect ourselves! You fool!” She said as she started to sharpen the axe she had. “Of all the spies, it had to be Scorpan’s most dangerous hunter.” She complained.

“Dangerous?” Said Pinkie.

“Aku is Scorpan’s most fearful hunter in his guards. She hunts any rebel that fights against Scorpan and captures or ends any threats to that king.” She spoke.

“Oh, come on…” Said Rainbow Dash “I mean even if she has that amulet, we can take her.” She bragged as Danae looked at her.

“What amulet?” She asked as Twilight shut Rainbow’s mouth with magic.

“We’re asking some creature else who knows.” She spoke.

Location: UNKNOWN
“So the Amulet of Chaos wasn’t destroyed.” Said Tirek as Twilight asked him.

“The Amulet of what?” Said Sombra.

“I heard of the Alicorn Amulet, but this is new.” Said Cozy Glow

“It is something my father made when Discord once tried to turn my land into his 2nd playground. Unfortunately for him, when he used his magic on it, it not only absorbed a bit of his magic but also a piece of his essence.”

“Essence?” Said Cozy

“A piece of Discord’s Lifeforce.” Answered Chrysalis “That piece taken from Discord, means that he isn’t immortal or completely all-powerful.”

“YOU MEAN THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT DIDN’T USED IT!?” Yelled Cozy Glow.

“I could but given my time in Tartarus and seeing him for many years, I thought he already ate it.” Answer Tirek.

“Ate it?” Spoke Sombra.

“It’s the only way to regain what was stolen. Destroying it and that piece of your essence and magic belongs to the afterlife.” They all looked horrified to hear that.

“So, there’s a powerful Centaur out in Equestria that isn’t afraid to control Discord or end him at any chance?” Asked Chrysalis “A frightening fate for the Lord of Chaos who played with many? I can’t help but be impressed with Former King Vorak. He did anything to protect his kingdom, even controlling a creature of chaos. It also makes up for using us for a certain Alicorn’s ego.” She said which made Twilight a bit angry of her compliment but wondered how to deal with the spy.

“What are we going to do?” She said this was a threat that can literally use a friend against her.

Black Tower, 37th Floor
Aro was smashing giant spiders with his fellow Centaurs and Gargoyles with a large Warhammer as he found the waypoint. “There it is!” Yelled Aro.

“The way to the 38th floor where the merchant has the cherry tomatoes!” He yelled as the boss guarding the Waypoint. “Now let’s end this monster!” He yelled as if they all grabbed large rocks and threw them at the boss as they gang up on it and slain it.

“IT'S DEAD!” Yelled a teen centaur. They ran to the Waypoint crystal.

“To the 38th Floor!” Yelled Aro as they charged to the next floor.

Author's Note

Whoa... it looks like Aro and the other awaken Centaurs and Gargoyles have already made it to the 38th. Reason for that, they're had literally training since compare to Ponies and other creatures, ponies have been lazy due to being protected by Celestia. Leave a comment and have a nice day