Dungeons and Dragons: Curse of the Lunar Fang

Outside of Sugarcube Corner, three friends enjoyed a piece of strawberry cake each. One friend, the persnickety Rarity, was going on and on about some sort of magazine interview she’d landed and was incredibly eager to share her insight into dressmaking. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash fiddled absentmindedly with a small hoofball as Twilight Sparkle listened intently to her fellow unicorn.

“So, I was thinking of preparing a little something for the interviewers, really help them see and feel with their own hooves and eyes the sincerity of my work!” Rarity spoke before levitating a small piece of cake to her mouth.

“I’m sure they’d love anything you make for them Rarity.” Twilight assured before levitating her entire cake slice and diving right into it without a hint of grace, munching happily, causing her more snobbish friend to reel back for a moment.

“Yes, well, ahem, like I was saying I-” Began Rarity before a sharp yelp was heard across the table.

“Rainbow, is everything okay?” Twilight asked worriedly, motioning over to her.

“No, I think Pinkie put a rock in my cake or something.” she whined, massaging her jaw with a hoof.

“Now, why ever would she do a thing like that?” Rarity question with a raise of her perfectly kept brow.

“I don’t know! She’s probably pranking me or something.” Rainbow went on, eyes darting back and forth in hopes of finding the treacherous pink mare.

“Let me see.” Twilight said, prompting Rainbow to open her mouth wide to let the purple mare look. “Oh my.” Twilight muttered

“Whu i’ i wiwight?” Rainbow asked with her mouth still wide open.

“Oh, wow…” Twilight whispered to no one in particular.

“What is…” Rarity began after having got next to Twilight and Rainbow, only to pull away like a vampire in the morning sun, hoof clasped over her snout “Rainbow, dearest, you need to brush your teeth.” she said before daring to look again to see, at the back, three rotted, black teeth that looked ready to crumble into dust “Darling!” Rarity shouted aghast.

“Darling is right, Rainbow what have you been eating!” Twilight asked as she began using her magic to prod the rotting teeth until Rainbow yelped again, quickly shutting her mouth closed, though this was a terrible idea as as soon as she did she screamed even louder from the sudden force of her bad teeth slamming into one another.

“Nothing,” Rainbow moaned “Just some chocolate pretzels, chocolate covered chips, cookies, ice cream, cake, pie, A LOT of cider…”

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity scolded “I’m surprised with you, are you telling me all you’ve eaten was junk and sweets, why, that’s no way for a lady to take care of herself at all!”

“Lady shmady, I’m fine!” Rainbow announced with a ‘too cool for school’ hoof cross’, however, her cool act crumbled when a shocked, and surprised yell was heard from one pink haired mare not too far away.

“Rainbow Dash!” shouted Fluttershy, an uncommon trait for sure as the buttery mare marched over to her fellow pegasus “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“Uh, gotta go!” Rainbow Dash darted away, or rather, she tried to before Twilight snatched her tail with a bit of magic “Ugh, let me go, come on, she’s gonna take me to the dentist or someplace else lame!”

Fluttershy briskly trotted over to Twilight, a very disappointed look on her face “Thank you Twilight, this little missy has been avoiding me all week.”

“No problem Fluttershy, need help taking her to the Dentist?” Twilight asked, however a devious little grin formed on Fluttershy’s face

“No, you can let her go.” much to every pony elses surprise.

“Darling, she really does need her teeth checked out immediately.” Rarity, filled with concern, informed Fluttershy

“I know, but I can’t make a grown mare do something she doesn’t want too.” Fluttershy answered.

“Sweet, so I’m totally off the hook!” Rainbow cheered, tail now free of Twilight’s magic.

“Yeah, you’re free. Anyways, I was also looking for you Twilight.” Fluttershy said, smiling at the librarian.

“Me? What’s wrong?” Twilight questioned, unused to having Fluttershy need her for much.

“Well, I have these tickets for the Wonderbolts, and…” as quickly as Fluttershy had began, Rainbow burst into the conversation, eyes wide, hoof raised, and wings flapping.

“Oh, I wanna go!” Rainbow said with all her might.

“Oh, so sorry Rainbow, I wanted to take you, but I just can’t, you see, these aren’t any tickets, but backstage passes for after the show, and, well, with the cavity, your breath is just so icky I didn’t want to offend any of the wonderbolts.” Fluttershy said with feigned sadness

Rainbows mouth fell agape, the putrid smell of her rotting teeth leaking out just a bit “But, but, but…” she repeated until Fluttershy began again

“I would just hate to upset the Wonderbolts, so I had no choice but to ask somepon- aah!” Fluttershy ended with a yelp as Rainbow snatched her up

“Come on, I’ve got a dentist appointment!” she shouted as the two flew off in the completely wrong direction.

“Well, it seems our dear Fluttershy is far more cunning than we thought.” Rarity noted after taking another ladylike bite of her cake.

“Uh-huh.” Twilight pushed out through another mouthful of cake

“Well, with her teeth getting checked out, I think we could move to another unladylike problem…” Rarity offered.

Twilight gulped down the rest of the cake, frosting smeared across her face as she smiled and replied “Oh come on Rarity, Applejack’s not THAT bad.”

Outside the train station, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Applejack were patiently waiting for their airborne friends to arrive, chatting casually amongst one another.

“Gee, I wonder what’s taking them so long?” Twilight mused cheerfully

“Oh who knows,” Rarity hummed while caring for her hooves “They’re probably getting some last minute preparations done.”

“Like what exactly? Not like they’ve got much t’brang wit’em.” Applejack pointed out

“Maybe they’re washing their manes, or shining their hooves?” Rarity offered, but Applejack just gave her a bemused stare “Well, maybe Fluttershy is washing her mane and shining her hooves.”

“Ah reckon her manes gotta get pretty funky, what with the varmits that are constantly staying up there.” Applejack said thoughtfully, tapping her chin with a hoof.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s thought of that.” Rarity mentioned with a giggle “I know if my mane was as naturally luxurious as Fluttershy’s, why, I wouldn’t dream of letting an animal crawl around in it.”

“Y’all wouldn’t dream of it now.” Applejack mentioned.

“Yes, well, my point remains.” Rarity huffed.

“That y’all think Fluttershy has a purty mane?” Applejack teased, jabbing a hoof in Rarity’s direction “Ah have ta agree really, ah mean, it’s so thick and vibrant,”

Rarity squinted at her orange friend before scoffing and tossling her mane “Whatever are you playing at Applejack.”

“Oh nothin’, ah jus’ reckoned ah’d be mighty upset if ah spent hours upon hours a day on mah mane just to have somepony else just stroll on by with an even purtier mane and absolutely zero time in managin’ it.” Applejack offered coyly, doing her best to hide her amusement as Rarity opened and closed her mouth in exasperation.

“I, well, uh,” Rarity cleared her throat and turned away “A lady does not get jealous Applejack.”

“Oh, ah know sugarcube, ah know.” Applejack snickered

A few silent moments passed, over the duration Rarity became slightly fidgety before turning to Applejack “Are you sure she doesn’t use any product? At all…”

“Iffen she does, ah haven’t seen it, it’s not in her bathroom or bedroom that’s fer sure.” Applejack stared off into the sky as she spoke.

“Aww, Twilight…” Rarity turned to her friend with a whine.

“For the last time Rarity, there is no ‘Super Illustrious Mane’ spell.” Twilight turned to Rarity, who, post answer, began to bat her eyes “And there’s no spell that’ll make your hoofs permanently shine or make your eyelashes grow that long for real.” Twilight huffed and walked away

“Talkin’ about eyelashes, ever notice how long and beautiful Fluttershy’s are? Ah bet their real…” she hummed as she walked off toward Twilight.

“It’s not fair!” she yelled in her overly dramatic way as she pulled a couch to her side from seemingly no where “Why doesn’t the universe like me!” she began to sob into the pillow of her couch as Applejack began to laugh quietly next to Twilight.

“Applejack…” Twilight moaned.

“Oh, alright, maybe ah went a bit far, but in mah defense…” Applejack snickered

“In your defense what?” Twilight asked.

“In mah defense, ah thought it was pretty darn funny.” she began to laugh loudly, holding onto Twilight for support.

“That’s a terrible defense, I swear, you’ve been spending too much time with Rainbow Dash.” Twilight muttered as she moved to let Applejack fall to the ground.

“Ok, ok, ah’ll apologize. “ Applejack said, getting to her hooves to move over to Rarity. Just as Applejack was about to speak they heard Pinkie Pie begin to shout

“Oh, oh, they’re here!” as she flailed about to get the rest of the mares attention.

Side by side the two walked, Fluttershy her usual self with a pleasant smile on her face and Rainbow, well, her cheek was swollen, really swollen, her mouth was bandaged and she seemed to have something stuffed in her mouth, to top it off, she seemed to be in a fairly dour mood.

“Oh… mah… Celestia…” Applejack said aloud

“Ugh, don’ yew dur.” Rainbow said through the cotton in her maw.

“Now, let’s all be nice to poor Rainbow, she had to get a lot of work done and the Dentist said it’d take a while for her mouth to heal. Until then, she doesn’t get any snacks besides the pudding and yogurt I have in my saddlebag, so if you catch her trying to eat something she shouldn’t let me know.” Fluttershy explained gently

“Maybe she shouldn’t go if her mouth’s this bad.” Twilight mentioned, but Rainbow sprang up at the thought and took an aggressive stance

“Heh, ahm gon e fah, ah wood’n mish thish fer thu worl” Rainbow replied, though, whatever she said no one really picked up on, however by her body language she seemed rather set on going.

“Well, alright then I guess… are we all set?” Twilight asked, the girls all agreed in unison before boarding the train off to Canterlot

“Pffffffft, ahahahahahahaha!” Luna, in a mad fit of laughter, fell to her back, rolling on the royal blue floor of her gaming room.

“Our kand and benevolent ruler ere’ pony.” Applejack announced, pointing a hoof at Luna.

“We...we… ooh.’ Luna struggled to catch her breath “We apologize, we should not have been so rude to our subject, but… did Fluttershy not, as you say, call it?”

“Oh shu ub.” Rainbow hissed, or, tried to anyways, at the princess before taking her usual seat and crossing her legs.

“Princess, I’m ashamed of you, taunting poor Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy scolded, quite brazenly in fact.

“Oh, we are sorry, truly we are, ohoho, at anyrate, shall we begin play?” Luna asked prompting the mares to take their seats around the table “Excellent, now before we begin, snacks?” Luna said, jutting a bowl of hard candy right in Rainbow Dashes face, unable to contain her smile.

What followed next was the attempted assassination of a princess by a premier flyer as several guards were dispatched to tame the wild blue ball of rage. The noise and screaming from Rainbow was so intense even Celestia had shown up in the commotion. Once she was given a thorough tongue lashing by her older sister, Luna had stopped her teasing, Rainbow had stopped trying to murderize the Alicorn, and the group returned to their regularly scheduled game

“eh il i’ mesh u de gam?” Mumbled Rainbow questioningly

“Oh, good question Rainbow.” Fluttershy said in such a way that, if said by anyone else, would seem like she was talking down to them “Will her little problem affect the game?”

“Not in the least, we are more than powerful enough to translate her thoughts into word, and as funny as not doing that would be, we take pride in the quality of our game.” Luna explained “Without further ado,” she lifted her, mostly pointless, GM screen an inch up and tapped it a few times against the table“Ahem, well, as you may recall, you’ve all just taken back the church and Leona struck out on her own…”

Outside, Daniel and the two girls were sitting next to a building, quietly talking to one another, though much conversation was made by the mother as she cooed her child. The three grew quiet as Leona approached, her entire body was splattered with blood from head to toe, much of it having already dried by then. The three looked at the paladin nervously as to what information she may provide, each hoping for the best as she made her way over. Leona stopped short, and extended her arm out as a shadow beast leapt at her from in between buildings before she crushed it against the ground, wowing the trio. Leona then looked to them sternly “You two, get to the church, you’ll see my friends inside, they’ll protect you. Daniel, you’re with me.”

-----

In an instant, the spell keeping the game up was dropped. Confused, the mane 6 looked at their GM with turned heads and perched brows. What they saw was Luna, with a mile long frown, glaring at Fluttershy with eyes of burning rage.

“Umm, is someth-” Flutters began right before several loud thwaps were heard as a book encased in magic came crashing down on a green and black D20 that sat before Fluttershy. Once satisfied that the die was lost forever, she hovered a new one from her saddlebag and placed it in front of the now terrified mare.

“You may have ours.” Luna said, smiling as if given some sort of sudden relief.

“But, umm, that was y-your dice…” Fluttershy muttered causing the frown on Luna’s face to grow only longer than before.

Rainbow began a mad fit of laughter behind the cotton in her mouth, followed by accompanying chuckles from the other mares. Angered, flustered and embarrassed, Luna recast her spell in an attempt to save face.

-----

“Oh, thank you Ser Knight, you are a blessing, thank the goddess.” the mother spoke hurriedly as her and her child ran to sanctuary.

“Of course m’lady. Where to?” The squire asked, eyes burning with anticipation.

“We’re going to get as many citizens as we can back to the church. The others should be at it as well, so we must not waste time. “ Leona commanded as she drew her blade again and marched further away from the church

“Of course!” the squire said, drawing his own blade and following suit.

-----

On the other end of town, Starstorm, Sprinkles and Selina had just engaged a small group of hounds along with a group of town guards. The fight was short lived, however, as the obviously tested veterans pummeled the enemy with ease. The soldiers settled for a moment as Starstorm ran over to the man who seemed to be in charge, a man of short stature with short blonde hair and stern blue eyes who seemed almost of her age, however, despite his youth he seemed rather hardened. “Ser Knight, a word please.” she approached respectfully.

“Of course, what do you need mage?” He replied, cold eyes staring at her.

“Ser Leona of the Order of Mia Morey, along with us, have freed the church of it’s assailants. My fellows Wrathtail and Jessebelle are keeping it secure, we request you send some men there as well as any civilians.” With perfect etiquette, the wizard had made her request, though the words came at a surprise to the knight before her.

“Y-you what? Impossible, word had it a massive beast had taken control, I’ve already sent two of my best units in.” he spoke in disbelief, though the look in the woman’s eye didn’t betray her story, “Surely, someone must have accompanied you.” the man paused “And, and you said Wrathtail was there too, is she ok?”

Silently taking offense, Starstorm brushed the insult aside and spoke again “If you don’t believe me, send a scouting party to confirm what I say. And yes, she’s fine.” she retorted

“Hmm, I will go myself. Elric, you and your brother are in command until I return, continue the push as I’d ordered. Roberts, Anderson, you two ride with me.” he commanded, ending by whistling, calling a warsteed to his side which he promptly mounted, outstretching an arm to Starstorm “Come, you’ll be with us, can your fellows support my men?” he asked, turning to watch Selina and Sprinkles reply with a nod each.

Taking the mans arm, Starstorm mounted the horse, gripping tightly onto the knight before her as the four charged off to the temple.

The journey was short but quiet, only the rhythmic sounds of the horses hooves dulled the otherwise oppressive silence ‘This feels weird, a little wrong too… I hope the poor guy’s ok… though he is kinda cute… this is weird.’ Starstorms player thought in reference to the horse she was now mounted on as they approached their destination.

Riding up to the main doors, the three knights dismounted and burst through, weapons drawn only to see a rather bored looking Wrathtail and Jessebelle playing a game of cards “Three aces baby.” Wrathtail smiled

“Royal flush.” Jessebelle replied as she pulled over a pile of copper to her side.

“Uh, h-how, wait, Wrathtail?” the blonde man asked, prompting the girl to turn and look

“I said she was here, didn’t I?” Starstorm huffed, arms crossed.

“Uncy Caspen?” Wrathtail tilted her head a bit questioningly

“Uh, er, please call me Captain in front of the men Wrathtail.” he asked as he looked around, taking note that, despite the large amounts of filth and remains, the building seemed free of the beasts “You really cleared this place out, but, what about the giant hound that I heard about.” he spoke as he walked over to the girls in the center who had stood to meet him.

“Him, yeah, we killed him. I mean, it was mostly me, but y’know, they help.” The boastful Wrathtail said, chest puffed, head high and arms crossed

“Uh-huh,” Caspen, shockingly, didn’t believe his niece, but decided now wasn’t the time to worry about such things. Turning to the men who had come with him, he began calling out more orders “Roberts, I want you to tell the men to send the sick and injured here as soon as possible along with some of the regiment to reinforce the location. Anderson, gather the heralds and see to it they make it known the church has been secured.” saluting their captain they returned to their mounts and rode off. “Now, I was told Leona was with you, yes? Where is she now?” Caspen asked, only given shrugs in return.

-----

Elsewhere, a small group of soldiers were backed into an alleyway, trying hopelessly to defend their position from the onslaught of the pack that now cornered them. “Men, it’s been an honor fighting with you this day.” a man with long red hair said, his body encased in thick, bright pink full-plate, a nine-ring broadsword clasped in his right hand and a shield on his left “May Mia be with you.” he spoke as the horde grew near.

As if an answer to a prayer, the sound of yelps were heard from around the corner of the alley, causing hope to be reignited in the men. “Reinforcements, perhaps we won’t meet with the goddess this day after all!” one man shouted.

“Or perhaps we meet with her now? Regardless, hold out until they come for us.” the man in the pink said as he wielded his shield steadfast against the horde.

Nearby, Leona had followed the strongest mass of evil she could find. Cutting her way through several hounds alongside her squire who had, for the most part, supported her rather than fully engage. “I’m proud to see you’ve learned much during our training.” Leona said as she drove her blade down through one of the beasts necks

“Thank you, hearing you say that means the world to me dame.” the boy said happily as he accompanied his knight.

“Come, I hear fighting nearby.” She ordered as she and the squire ran to the corner to see the group of men backed into a wall, recognizing one man in particular, causing a nasty scowl to grow on her face “If only he were alone,” she muttered as she stomped her way forward, swinging down at the distracted hounds. Recognizing his knights suddenly more aggressive stance, he shifted a bit further back to bring up the rear, just in time to engage one of the hounds.

In a combined effort Leona and the men had managed to turn the tables, forcing the monsters into flanking, striking down the horde as they were thinned out rapidly. Once the last had fallen, the man in the armor smiled mockingly “Look, the southerner’s came to help. You do good job, tonight you get much meat.” he said with a mirthful laugh.

“Is that so? I suppose getting much meat implies I won’t be spending anytime with you then.” Leona’s biting retort caused the man to scowl, oppositely the men he was with chuckled.

“Please, as if I’d choose to waste my time with a woman who barely resembles her sex.” he spat.

“I -must- be more of a man, where you were no doubt getting your men slaughtered, I took back the church, which you can all feel free to head to, to recover from your wounds of course.” her attention slowly turning to the other men

“Y-you did what?!”

“Amazing, Leona, many praises.”

“Thank you so much.” the men all quickly cheered for their savior.

“Don’t believe her, this southerner is probably why these hounds are attacking in the first place.” the other paladin remarked.

“Or maybe it was because Commander Marius was too busy pinching bottoms at the inn to do his job.” she scowled “A shame really, if we had someone worth his salt, this accident might’ve been prevented.”

“How dare you blame me for this!” Marius now clearly enraged.

“And I thought I had a temper, perhaps you and I aren’t so different after all.” With that Leona turned to head elsewhere, stopping to turn “Oh, wait, I actually win my fights. So I suppose we really are different, huh.” she smiled back at them and continued off, hailing her squire before moving on.

Once clearly out of ear and eyeshot of the group, Leona’s smile grew three times in size “M’lady, you certainly put him in his place, though, shouldn’t we hurry to the aid of the people.”

Smile instantly wiped away, Leona nodded “I apologize, he’s just…”

“I understand dame, but for now, let us see to the cities defense, and when we’re done I’ll pour oil into the linings of his armor when the other squires aren’t looking.” Daniel smiled, getting a giggle from Leona “It’s good to see you in good spirits.”

“Huh?” Leona hummed inquiringly but Daniel only shook his head and the two moved on to continue the defense of the city.

-----

“Come on, hurry everyone!” Wrathtail urged as a group of women and children were ushered into the church, a small pack of hounds at their heels. Once the last had entered, Jessebelle slammed the door shut and shot one of the beasts in the head simultaneously “Damnit, it’s been almost an hour and I haven’t heard from Leona, Sprinkles or Selina, you think they’re ok?”

Letting loose another shot, Jessebelle snorted “Beats me,” she replied, shoving an elbow into the side of a guard who was stationed at the church “What are yalls standin’ for, gonna let a woman get into the fray first.” she motioned to Wrathtail who had just had just electrocuted one of the beasts with her hand.

Taken aback, the guard turned forward “Men, into formation!” he ordered as the group got arm to arm and pushed forward, shields out.

“There yall go, I’ll cover yer rear.” Jessebelle added, taking aim. “Though, ah wish the rest would return… more importantly, where’d the Captain take Starstorm…”

-----

“Captain Caspen, where are we headed!” Starstorm asked over the sounds of fighting and hooves tearing across the cobble below them.

“To the castle, I was there when this happened, I locked a few civilians in the pantry back at the castle larder! I need your help getting them out!” he replied, dipping slightly to sweep his blade across the back of one of the hounds.

“Alone? How, what am I to do!” the wizard obviously taken by surprise.

“Well, when I locked them in, a court wizard sealed it. I haven’t seen any others since, so I need help getting it open.” He answered

Silently accepting, Starstorm decided to fade into thought. As they approached, the two were caught by surprise when a massive black fist came crashing down from out behind one of the buildings, causing the horse and those on it to tumble harshly onto the ground.

Shakily recovering from the sudden attack, Starstorm looked up to see a massive, muscular creature that stood and moved as a man and was cloaked in shadows, it’s features weren't in detail, what she could see was it was huge and it’s glowing yellow eyes were focused on the pair “What on the good earth is that!” she shouted in response to her situation.

“I don’t know, I’ve heard nothing about this!” he looked back at her with a mix of fear and surprise, scrambling to his feet all the same

“This is bad, so, so bad.” Starstorm stepped back, mind rapidly trying to come up with something to get them out of their situation, anything if possible. Looking around, Starstorm noticed a nearby tower. “Keep it occupied, I’ll be back!” she shouted as she ran at full speed toward the tower doors.

“Don’t be long!” he replied as he held his shield up.

Opening the tower doors, Starstorm hurried up the stairs, quickly growing out of breath as she did “Stupid low con…” she muttered under her, now exhausted, breath. Bursting out to the top, she was met with the sight of one of the hounds who was gnawing on a human femur until it noticed her fumble upon it “Uh…”

Snarling, the beast slowly moved over to the wizard who began to back pedal. Letting the beast follow a bit more, she waited until it was on the stairs before she began a spell. Noticing the sudden movement, the beast lunged, stopping short as the magic washed over it, causing it to fall unconscious “Ugh, I’m almost tapped...” she muttered. Moving over the sleeping beast she did what she thought was necessary, she pushed it off the stairs, causing it to plummet to the bottom of the tower “Jerk” she said smugly as she finally made it to the top, seeing exactly what she wanted to see, a big beautiful beast of a ballista “Good.” running to the side of the tower she yelled down at her ally “How are you doing!”

Having just rolled out of the way from the creatures massive arm as it crashed into the city streets, Caspen simply replied “Awful!”

“That’s good, don’t die, I have to look at my book real quick!” she said as she sat down and began to study her spell book.

“Seriously!” he screamed right before lifting his shield up to meet the beasts latest attack. Surviving that he parried with a strike of his own, slashing the creatures arm, causing it to grunt a bit in pain.

Reeling back for another attack, Caspen thought it wise to avoid it as he ran under the legs of the creature, slashing at it’s ankles. Roaring in pain, the beast turned to swing again, intercepted by his shield just in time to stop the blow. Regaining his balance, Caspen swung again at the creatures leg, causing it to fall to a knee before he used his shield to bash it in the face. Now enraged, the creature came full force as it kicked it’s leg into Caspen, sending him back a few feet. Quickly rolling to a stand, Caspen turned to the tower “Now please!”

Closing her book, Starstorm smiled “One more moment!” she replied as she ran over to the ballista that was unfortunately on the other side of the tower, though it was on rails and simple enough to move. Pulling a nearby lever back, she heard the lock on the weapon unlatch. Taking that as a good sign, she then grabbed the, thankfully, loaded weapon and slowly pushed it over to the side where the Captain and the monster were fighting. Now in place, she pushed the lever again, locking it down. Now fully readied, Starstorm cast her spell, letting the magic take hold as it gave her extraordinary focus, every inch, every movement in such slow and vivid detail as if to disorient her. Grabbing the weapon as best as she could figure, she pointed it at the creature, letting the spell guide her. Satisfied, she let the bolt fly, just in time to stop it mid-swing, it's body flung by the force of the bolt, instead nailing it to a building nearby. Screeching it clawed at the bolt in it’s chest before falling slump and fading into nothingness.

“Took her long enough,” Capsen huffed tiredly.

“And now I’m out of spells!” she shouted down at Caspen, who merely sighed.

-----

Bursting through a door, Selina quickly scoured the small home she had heard screams from. Noticing a hound barking at a closet that felt weirdly familiar, she whistled to grab it’s attention “Over this way boy, come on, come get it.” she urged as the hound did just that, rushing the rogue who sidestepped it’s attack and thrust down two daggers down onto it’s back, causing it to poof immediately. Moving to the closet, she said “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.”

“You!” a feminine voice spit out from behind the door as it was pushed open “You’re that girl who knocked me out and took my house!” she shouted

“Oh... it’s… you…” Selina replied, rubbing the back of her neck nervously “Well, you see, about that… Sprinkles help, use your spell!” she shouted as Sprinkles kicked in the door and dropped the magic she had prepared to back up Selina with right on the angry woman, knocking her out.

“Did ah get’em?” Sprinkles asked looking around wildly

“Oh, yes, you so got them.” Selina lied as she carried the woman out

“Oy, ya tricked me!” Sprinkles, knuckles on her hips, declared.

“Yes, I did. And I’m very sorry about that.” she offered half heartedly.

Taking the woman to one of the knights nearby, she told him the woman had passed out and that she needed to get to the church. Selina and Sprinkles then returned to the men in charge Edwin Elric and Alfred Elric “Ey, we’re back, what’s next lads?” Sprinkle’s asked

“Hmm, oh, yes you two, we actually need something done you might be able to help with,” Alfred, a young looking blond man with short hair said with a grave look on his face “We’re close to what we believe to be another point where the creatures are funneling out and we need someone to stop it if possible.”

“Ah, yes, you suspect this point to be in the sewers, yes?” Selina asked knowingly, recognizing how close she was to the thieves guild base of operations.

“Yes, and considering who you are, I can only suspect you know where I’m talking about.” The man said with crossed arms and a smirk

“Ooh, er, well certainly my aiding of the city is more important than my, uh, past transgressions, yes?” she smiled wide at the guard who chuckled

“Don’t worry, you’re relatively harmless. Besides, Leona’s pretty much in charge of the situations dealing with you anyways.” he replied absentmindedly

“I, what?” she asked in wide eyed confusion

“Yeah, she’s commissioned to handle your crimes specifically, under order of Edona as it were. We've no choice but to let her either, apparently had to pull a pretty big favor. but I assumed you already knew that.” he finished “Anyways, now isn’t the time for chit chat, you should get to it, and be careful, you two need to head in alone on this while we clear out things topside.”

Wordlessly Selina nodded acceptingly and took off towards a sewer entrance frequented by her compatriots “I can’t believe…” she muttered as the two walked together.

“Wha’ tha’ your childhood frien’ still goes outta her way to protect ya despite the fact ya stabbed her in the back by joinin’ the one thing she hates most?” Sprinkle hit the nail on the head causing Selina’s mouth to gape momentarily.

Sighing, Selina rubbed her arm and nodded “Yes, well, I suppose that’s the best way to put it… I just…”

“No need, ya should let that friend of yers know what you have to say, not me. No matter wha' ahm sure she still love ya lahk a sistah'” Sprinkle offered with a smile, prompting Selina to smile as well.

“Well, thank you Sprinkles. Anyways, we’re here.” she said standing before a sewer hole in the center of an alleyway.

“Tha’s the most conspicuous thang ah thank ah’ve seen eva’.” Sprinkles commented at how obvious the entrance is in hindsight

“Yes, well, regardless of that little oversight, this is indeed the place. So, let’s go shall we?” she finished pulling the sewer plate open before climbing her way down on the wooden ladder.

The girls, now in the sewers, turned to one another and nodded, with Selina taking point. Stalking through the sewers together, they tiptoed around several different packs of the hounds, pausing so often to allow some to pass as they ran by after thieves guild members and anyone dumb enough to try and use the sewers as an escape. As they continued, the two stopped right beside a false door where Selina knew would lead to where she believed the possible summoning location to be.

Turning to the bard, Selina put a finger to her mouth “This will take just a moment, it’s been locked, likely because of this entire fiasco, meaning it’ll take me a while to open, especially considering it was made by thieves to keep thieves out.” accepting the rogues words Sprinkles waited patiently as Selina began to fiddle with some tools against the stone wall.

Humming to herself, Sprinkles was completely oblivious to the inky black tentacle that was slowly wrapping itself around her ankle until it was too late and she was pulled down onto her back and lifted up into the air. “Ah, ya bloody, shrimp eatin’, ink squirtin’, pile of tentacles, let me go!” she shouted defiantly, hand desperately pushing her kilt up to her knees, as Selina turned back to see her friend caught in the clutches of a tentacled creature covered in shadows similar to the hounds they’d been dealing with all day.

“Oh sweet Mia why!” she yelled in shock.

“Ah don’t care wha, jus’ ge’ meh outta here before people start drawin’ inappropriate things about meh!” she complained, free arm flailing wildly.

Drawing her daggers, Selina planned on doing just that, despite not knowing exactly how to make that happen. “Ignoring the fact we somehow missed this thing completely, I have no idea how to take this thing down!

“Kill it, kill it until it’s dead!” the bardess screamed with increased flailing

Sighing, Selina shook her head “Of course, why didn’t I think about that? Oh, because I wanted something helpful!”

“This blows!” Sprinkle replied curtly

“You’re right it blows… blows, oh, idea!” Selina turned back to the fake wall and jiggled one of her tools just a bit more until it popped open, running inside.

“Ya are the worst partner eva!” she screamed at the top of her lungs as her friend ran into the darkness without her.

Running as fast as she could, she passed about eight of the hounds who were idly chewing on bones until they noticed the purple haired woman charge by. Now chased by more than she could possibly handle on her own, she continued on her chosen path as she came to a stuttering stop in an attempt to turn before running down another hallway. Once she’d reached her destination she noticed right before the door to their supplies was a large, almost serpent like shadow creature that stood on four legs and looked as if ready to swallow the woman whole. Caught between a rock and a horde of angry dog monsters, Selina decided her only option was to slide under the thing before her and dash into the room “Now to put it into practice.” she said as she did, in fact, slide beneath the monster, opening the door and slamming it shut behind her.

Fighting to catch her breath, Selina darted about in search of “Yes!” she shouted as she found ten barrels of black powder, “Good, and now…” she said as she began to dig about until she found a couple flasks of alchemist fire. “Well, now to get out…” she turned to the door and sighed before tilting over one of the barrels and rolled it over near the door, all the while the monsters outside were busy trying to knock the wall over. Psyching herself up, Selina prepared one flask and the barrel before opening the door, yelling “Fetch!” as she tossed one of the fires onto the ground causing the creatures outside to step back in fear before rolling the barrel over the flame and closing the door.

A few short moments passed as the clearly non-intelligent creatures continued pounding despite the burning explosives before them. The pounding came to a halt as the barrel blew, instead being replaced by an unbearable ringing in Selina's ears that dropped her to her knees and forced her to cover her head in acute pain, accompanied by the flying bits of wooden shrapnel that screamed passed Selina as she deftly avoided each dagger like chunk despite her now incredible headache. Shaking the ringing away and satisfied the lot were gone for good she took more flasks and another barrel of the black powder, rolling it as fast as she could back to Sprinkles. However, halfway there she’d picked up a few more friends who were now hot at her heels. Knowing she'd never push the barrel fast enough to escape, Rarity instead leapt up onto it instead, rolling it with only small hindrance as she rushed ahead of her pursuers. Once she passed the fake wall door she leapt to the side, letting the barrel fall onto the monster before desperately tossing a flask of alchemist fire at it.

“And for the final step.” she announced as she threw a dagger at the tentacle hold Sprinkles, causing her to drop, thankfully, onto the sewer walkway “Get the hell away!” recognizing the black powder spilling from the barrel Sprinkles sprang to her feet like ants were crawling up her legs. Just as they ran they turned to see the hounds that were trailing Selina slide into few, the creatures slipping on the now wet floor as a few plummeted into the water besides the tentacle... thing. Only a moment more passed as the barrel blew, causing a few violent cracks to form overhead.

The two comming to a stop, Sprinkles looked to Selina then back the now soot covered ex-home of the monster, then back to Selina“Tha’ was yer plan!?” Sprinkles yelled

“Well it worked, did it not?” Selina casually replied as she looked disappointingly at a cracked fingernail

“Ya nearleh blew meh...up!” she shouted back

“Well, I didn’t.” Selina replied with a huff.

Grumbling the bard accepted, letting the rogue take her deeper into the area, passing through several fake walls and passing by several hounds until they made it into the training grounds of the guild, at it’s center a familiar pillar of light “Good, we’re here. Not my first choice for an evil summoning portal, that's for sure, lacks a certain villainous je ne sais quoi. *sigh* Anyways, all we need to do is find the source of the spell and disable it.”

“How do ya expect us ta fahnd it’ this place is huge!” Sprinkles threw her arms out wide to emphasize her point.

“Hmm… I think I’ve got it…” Selina said tapping her chin with her finger.

Several minutes, and many back and forth trips later, eight barrels of black powder was spread across the room, put against the walls and all rigged with a line of black powder.

“Uh, isn’t this a wee bit overkill?” Sprinkles asked with a nervous chuckle as Selina lit the line

“Nope.” the rogue answered with all the enthusiasm one would show a hole in their least favorite pair of shoes. As the trail of black powder crackled behind them, the girls ran as fast as possible towards their point of exit.

“How long til’ they blow?” Sprinkles asked, answered by the first wave of explosions that trailed behind them “Ya coulda made the trail a little longer.”

“Well excuse me for not knowing how long it takes for flames to travel up gunpowder, I’ve never used it before ok?” she spit annoyed. “Just run!” she finished, picking up the pace.

As the explosions echoed throughout the sewers, the two noticed the walls of the underground complex begin to crumble “This won’ take tha sewers down will it?” Sprinkles asked

“Oh heavens no, not in the least. Just the thieves guild base at most.” Selina chirped as they burst through the entrance of the base and continued their way hurriedly to the nearest ladder. Scurrying up it’s length before slamming the plate down behind them.

“Ya thank anybody heard us?” Selina stared angrily at the bard for her fairly stupid question.

Sighing, Selina replied “If they didn’t then they must be quite deaf, I must say.” Selina began to brush herself off “Anyways, I don’t think we hit the seal, otherwise there would have been-” a massive magical explosion caused the ground to shake violently as the enveloping noise burst from beneath the city causing a massive collapse of city streets that, thankfully, were at the time unoccupied “Oh, well then.”

Sprinkles just stared at the collapsed street with her mouth agape in utter shock “Are ya crazeh!”

“Hmm, no, or at least I don’t believe I am, but I didn’t want to risk a magical explosion with us down there, suffice to say the town can be fixed, people, no, not so much.” her answer was selfish, but honest and well thought out all things considered “Anyways, problem solved, no more hounds coming from there, and the destruction of the thieves guild base should be thanks enough for Leona, don’t you think?”

“Are ya sure? Wouldn’t this get ya’ in some kinda trouble?” the curious bard inquired, arms crossed over her white blouse now stained with gross sewer water.

“Probably, anyways, let’s get to that Elric gent, we have to report the, uh, success of our mission and see what else is to be done.” Selina smiled at her pink haired companion before strutting away happily.

-----

Inside of the New Krayan castle, Starstorm and Caspen had just felt the shockwave of the explosions, deciding it wasn’t relevant to their current problem and hoped it would be resolved soon. “Here we are.” Caspen stopped right in front of a door covered by several runic seals. The door was in the center of a wonderfully decorated hallway with a long royal blue carpet, several art pieces atop fine oak tables all along the way.

“Hmm, give me a moment to study the signs.” Starstorm pulled out a small book, different from her spell book, and began to jot down the several seals she noticed. “Hmm, I believe this to be a contingency spell, combined with something, but I can’t put my finger on it.” she pushed her arm out and pushed lightly on the door, though her hand seemed to stop just short of it “Wall of force, of course.”

“Can we get through at all?” he asked, also putting a hand over the door.

“We could, if we can meet the contingency, whatever it is. That’s just it though, without knowing the man who sealed the door-”

“Hello, is someone out there? W-we’re trapped in here, help us!” a mans voice came from behind

“Sir, I need to you calm yourself. This is Captain Caspen of the town guard with a wizard of the New Krayan College.” Caspen spoke calmingly, his sense of presence and authority more then enough to put the others at ease.

Putting the lie about her being a wizard and not just an apprentice aside, Starstorm appreciated the man’s charisma. Regardless, she had to figure a way through the door and with no leads it would prove difficult. Kneeling down Starstorm could peek through the keyhole and smiled “I’m going in.” she said as she blinked from her current location into the larder. Taken by surprise the people backed away from the materializing wizard as she regained her head “Ugh, unpleasant.” she muttered, rubbing her head lightly

“W-who are you?” a servant girl asked

“I’m Starstorm, I’m here to help you.” she said, hoping no one would recognize her. She didn’t hope hard enough

“Starstorm? Is that you?” a short, weasley man in a robe poked out from the crowd, hunched over and perpetually rubbing his hands together. His hair a gross, greasy dirty brown and his eyes a beady green that never stopped shifting from side to side

“Great, Snidely, yeah, it’s me.” she replied, causing the man to move in right next to her, pressing his face close to her before sniffing

“Oh Starstorm, you smell good as always.” the perverted little troll of a man said with a sigh of infatuation

“I’ve been fighting all day, I’m literally caked in sweat and blood.” the now aggravated wizard glared down at him

“Oh my sweet, are you hurt, did those mean old hounds hurt you.” he grabbed her hand, looking up to her compassionately.

“Uh, yeah, so…” she snatched herself away from him and turned to one of the others “Can you tell me who put you in here? Rather, who put the spell on the door, if I know I might be able to fulfill the contingency.”

Before any of the civilians could speak Snidely had repositioned himself in front of her, smiling with his crooked, yellow teeth “Oh my sweet, it was magi Baldwin of course.”

“From evocation class? Yeah, that makes sense, this is a pretty solid wall of force. “ She hummed to herself for a moment, thinking about the man that was Baldwin. He was a younger teacher down at the college, he had thick black hair, just enough stubble to be considered fashionable and always dressed in fine clothing. Of his favorite things his most favorite were evocation spells and women, Starstorm knew about the last bit from many a pinched bottoms coming from the perverted man. ‘If that creep wasn’t in charge of a grade I’d tell him what for…’ she thought, shaking it aside to try and free these people.

“Baldwin didn’t mention the contingency requirements by the way.” Snidely offered to the center of his creepy little affections

“Of course not, however, knowing Baldwin, it’s one of two things… I dread my second idea, so let’s go with my first. Snidely, what spells have you prepared today?” she asked, causing him to coo happily

“Oh, well of course Starstorms Perfect Bust.” the man replied with a wide, unsettling smile.

“Oh dear, he’s made a spell of me…” pinching the bridge of her nose she annoyedly asked “Maybe a magic missile?”

“No, but I have alter wind!” he chirped “Wanna know why I have it prepared?”

Inhaling sharply from her nose, a mistake as Snidely had neglected to bathe since the one time three years ago she touched his hand -on accident, she replied “I’d rather these fine folks beat me to death, or you, I won’t try and stop them, honest.” she looked to the scared citizens, hoping they’d oblige. They didn’t. “What did we say about preparing useful spells.”

“But these are useful!” he insisted “Without alter wind, how else could I smell you from a greater distance, Afterall, you made me promise never to be within five feet of you without good reason, despite my insistence that smelling you is a good reason.”

Shuddering, Starstorm tried to push the conversation somewhere less disgusting “Do you have any evocations spell prepared?”

“Oh, yes, I do.” he replied.

Grabbing him by his shoulder, Starstorm said “Great, let’s see it!” she urged

“Hehe, ok.” he snorted a bit before waving his hand in invocation as a perfect, perky pair of breasts made of pure force were made before him.

“You have a mole miss Starstorm?” one of the villagers asked as he looked at the spell.

Eyes twitching, face red, and mind screaming internally at a volume that made Starstorms ears physically ring, she used every ounce of willpower she had to continue talking “U-use it on the door.” all the while thinking ‘Why in the hell does he know I have a mole!’

Following the commands of his beloved, Snidely moved the floating breasts to rub themselves against the door until the sound of fading magic ringed out. Now trying the door, Starstorm found it thankfully un-enchanted and let the people go.

“The worst part is I’ll never know if the answer was evocation or breasts…” she mumbled to herself dejectedly.

“Did I do good, my sweet?” he cooed up at her.

“Yeah, so good that I want to look at your spell book, if you don’t mind.” she replied, a wide, equally creepy smile on her face.

Eager to please, the man gave her the book quickly, and just as quickly she threw it on the ground, stomping on it all the while screaming “DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE.” at the top of her lungs, even going as far as to take Caspens sword from its sheath, baring it down on the book repeatedly, ending by pulling out her flint and steel and setting it ablaze, laughing maniacally as it burned, all the while Snidely looked on in horror as his work had been destroyed before him

“Are you done Starstorm?” Caspen asked, hoping for his weapon back.

Clearing her throat Starstorm stood back up and handed him his sword “Yes quite. Anyways Snidely,” she bore down on the the other apprentice, very clearly enraged “If you ever, use, think of, or try and recreate that spell I will poke out your beady little eyes, fill the the empty holes with hot tar and shove you in an iron maiden, got it?” she finished, teeth grinding. Terrified of the woman, snidely nodded wildly until she pulled away “Good boy, now, if we can, we’ve places to go.”

Walking behind Starstorm as she made her exit, Caspen turned to the boy and put his arm over him “Son, let me tell you something about women,” the boy nodded, interested in what the older man had to say “No one ever suspects them of committing murder.” and with that he left as well.

-----

“My dame,” Daniel spoke from behind Leona who had just forced down the door to a house where she’d heard activity “I know you’re doing your duty, but…” Daniel was looking over the woman, by now she was more wounds than not, cuts and blood everywhere armor wasn’t, and the armor itself was covered with bite marks, punctures and hundreds of scratches.

Looking at the boy, Leona sensed the worry in her wards eyes, frowning Leona cleared her throat ‘I know I'm hurt, I'll stop soon I promise. Just a little bit longer then we'll go. Now, I heard the noise from upstairs.” with that the burly woman took to the insides of the building, quickly finding the stairs and stomping her way up them to find a pair of hounds yapping at a closet door. The fight, however, was short lived as she threw one out the upstairs window and brought the next across her knee with a sickening crunch.

Pulling the door open, Leona found an injured women cowering in fear. “M’lady, you’re fine now.” Daniel said, causing her to look up and latch onto her savior

“Daniel, my bandages.” Leona ordered

“This is the last of them my dame, we’ll need to rest and resupply soon.” He told her, handing her the empty remains of a medical kit.

Nodding to her squire she quickly wrapped up the woman’s bloodied leg “We’ll accompany her back to the church and-” she was quickly cut off by the loudest roar she’d heard since Teronidus had attacked her. Rushing to the window she spotted a massive bipedal beast cloaked in darkness chasing after a small detachment of guards “Change of plans, Daniel get her to the church, I’ll help these men fight.”

“Leona…” muttered the young squire uneasily. Knowing his dame would have none of it he accepted with a nod and helped the woman limp away.

Rushing outside, Leona had re equipped her shield and sword and had made her way to the mens aid “You four, I’ll distracted it, I want you to surround it, take it’s flanks.” she commanded, and since she was the second largest thing here they accepted, making their way around the creature as Leona held its attention.

Readying herself, Leona lifted her shield against the beasts first swing at her, holding up the massive arm as it bore down on her. Lifting up, she threw it off balance and brought her blade across it’s stomach. Meanwhile, the guard had finished their movements and were beginning to take swings at the creature with their weapons, peppering it’s legs with several small strikes. Ready to block again, Leona lifted her shield only for the beast arm to sweep across her front, knocking the shield away and forcing her on the the ground. Rolling away from the monsters crashing foot she stood her self up, catching it’s arm as it came down to strike at her once more. Holding it’s arm still with all her might, she dug her heels into the ground and began to pull back on it, bringing it close enough for her to reach a hand to it’s head, reaching out she caught a firm grasp as she climbed upon it’s back, wrapping both arms over what she was sure to be it’s neck as she began to squeeze to stay on. The beast began to ignore her, re-engaging the men despite her attempts to choke it, with that she lifted her self until her legs were around it’s neck, reaching down she placed a hand on it’s chin and head and in one violent motion she twisted, given a surprisingly satisfying crack as both her and the creature both toppled down onto the ground.

“What a beast of a woman!” one of the guards shouted

“Thank you dame Leona, thank you!” another man shouted, helping the exhausted woman back on her feet.

“Of course, please make your way to the church for safe haven.” she offered, meandering over to her shield as she spoke. Bending over to grab she stopped short as a sudden rush of dizziness flooded her senses. She gasped, falling to her hands and knees, panting violently. She began to hear voices, though much of it was muddled, she could make out something

“Leo…?” the voice was soft, innocent, like that of a child “Leo, are you ok? Leo, you don’t have to fight anymore…”

“S-selly…” Leona muttered breathlessly before giving into to weariness and falling into unconsciousness on the New Krayan streets...