The Komodo Brothers in Equestria

Chapters

Defeat
Introductions
The plan unfolds
The plan hits a problem

Defeat

“Can you be a dear and pass me the apple juice Fluttershy?” Rarity asked as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Here you go Rarity” the yellow Pegasus said softly handing her friend the bottle of juice.

“Thank you”

The girls were sitting by a large tree enjoying a lunch time picnic chatting away, their various pets were happily playing nearby chasing a red ball, it was a perfect day. Twilight was levitating a sandwich near her as she scanned a book she was reading, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at her.

“You ever stop reading Twi?” she asked as bit into her own sandwich, Twilight giggled as she looked up.

“Don’t knock books before you try them Dash” she shot her a smirk sticking her tongue out.

“Yeah yeah whatever just…hey wait a minute are you saying I can’t read?” she glared at Twilight who giggled again. “I’ll have you know I’ve read tons of books!”

“Oh yeah, name one” Applejack raised her eyebrows; the girls looked at Dash who rolled her eyes trying to think of a book title.

“Uhm…well I uh…I read uhm…” she was unable to finish her sentence before the girls began to giggle already having their answer, Dash scowled at them then rolled her eyes before taking another bite from her sandwich.

“Whatcha reading anyway Twilight?” Applejack asked peering over Twilight’s shoulder.

“Oh nothing major just a book on the theory of teleportation magic between different realities and dimensions nothing heavy” She smiled at Applejack who just blinked.

“Uh…sure sounds fascinating” Applejack said unsure on what inter-reality travelling was, Twilight blankly stared at her.

“You have no idea what it means do you.

“Uh…no, no I don’t”

Twilight giggled.

“Well it just explains the theory and practice behind performing teleportation spells like I can, but goes into more detail about how they could possibly be used to teleport from one plane of existence to another one, like a place where ponies can’t talk and have no magic for example “she explained.

The girls nodded still not sure her explanation was that helpful and resumed with their picnic chattering away more, as they ate the clouds began to turn darker which made Rainbow Dash raise her eyebrow confused.

“That’s funny….a storm wasn’t meant to happen today…wonder what’s going-“before she could finish there were several loud booms of thunder followed by a few sparks of lightning followed by a large bolt that slammed into the ground near the girls, the ponies in the area began to scream and run around in terror as a swirling portal began to open up in the ground.

“What in Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed as the portal grew bigger two screams were heard getting louder and louder.

The two komodo brothers lay dazed on the floor as the orange bandicoot began to perform a victory dance before vanishing upwards. The skinnier one stood shakily to his feet wiping the blood from his snout and spat at the ground.

“Curssse that Bandicoot” he growled loudly, the other komodo got to his feet dusting himself down “He jusssst cost ussss our pay cheque!” he picked up a nearby sword angrily throwing it into the wall embedding it deeply. The larger one grunted in reply, behind them a small metal ball zipped by their shoulders before stopping dead in front of them, the two gulped, they knew who the drone belonged to…

“YOU IDIOTS!” screamed a voice as a holographic image of a man’s head filled the room from the drone. “I GAVE YOU ONE SIMPLE T-T-TASK AND YOU MANAGED TO SCREW IT UP C-COMPLETLEY!” he continued stuttering slightly as he did when angered, his head twitched when he did so causing the two brothers to shrink back a bit in fear. “I CREATED YOU AND I C-C-CAN EASILY DESTROY YOU FOR YOUR F-FAILURE!”

“But Dr Brio what about the pay cheq-“the larger one started to speak before the skinnier of the two placed a clawed hand over his mouth.

“What my brother Moe wasss going to sssay Doctor isss that we will eradicate him for you free of charge!” he grinned sheepishly looking up at the hologram, Moe nodded with a muffled his agreement. This appeared to change Brio’s expression as he stroked his chin.

“Very well, I’ll give you two another chance and this time you better not mess it up!” he paused for a moment before a wicked smile crept over his face “I will have some transportation arranged to bring you to me…I have something you two can test for me” and with that the hologram vanished leaving the two alone in the room with the drone. The two brothers stood in silence for a moment before Moe spoke up.

“What do you think he meant by test?” he asked his brother.

“I don’t know…” Joe hissed “but I have a gut feeling thisss will be a bad idea…”

The brothers left the arena being followed by the drone, outside they were greeted by two men in lab coats, Joe recognized them as some of the lab assistants that sided with Brio after he left Cortex when Crash originally defeated them. They directed the brothers to a waiting hover ship which they got into. The journey was fairly quick and quiet neither brother giving the other a glance, after a while the hover ship pulled up to a large building with an enormous laser built on the top of it, as the ship stopped they were escorted by armed guards into the facility passing many rooms where assistants where hurriedly going about their business collecting data from huge computer screens and muttering to each other.

The two were brought to a door that lead to the roof of the building and were shoved by the guards up the stairs, Joe shot them a hiss as they ascended. At the top of the staircase they saw Brio tapping away at a keyboard connected to the laser with several assistants all rushing around with notes a low chatter coming from them, they all stopped to look at the two as they stood at the top of the stairs. Brio stopped tapping and turned to address them his face etched with irritation.

“Seeing as you two are so willing to redeem yourselves, you will test a new device I have created” he told them turning to an assistant who handed him a strange metal box with several buttons on it and a large antenna that stood up at the end with a red ball on the end. The brothers blinked staring at the device.

“What doesss it do?” Joe asked the Doctor who gave a cruel smile pointing the device at Moe pressing a button, the red orb on the end lit up and shot a beam at Moe opening a swirling portal behind him sucking him into it vanishing into thin air. Joe jumped and his jaw dropped. “WHAT THE HELL WASSS THAT?!” he cried, Brio laughed manically and pointed the device above another part of the roof and pressing it again. There was another beam that shot out from the device and Moe rematerialized out of a portal with a cry slamming into the ground, his eyes spinning as he shook woozily.

“This device” Brio started “Will open a portal and teleport any one from one location to the other, like so” he grinned as he zapped Joe with the beam and zapped him above his brother where he fell on top of him the pair falling to the floor as Brio laughed again. “You two idiots will test this device for me on that Bandicoot for me…I want you to deliver him an ultimatum, work with us and gather the remaining gems or be destroyed, use this device to…persuade him” he chuckled darkly.

“Persssuade?” Moe tilted his head to Joe who shrugged back, Brio sighed out in frustration and zapped them both again teleporting them several feet above the roof, and they fell to the ground with a thud as they groaned in pain.

“If he is unwilling to work with us then force him to help us with the device, understand?” Brio said sharply, the two got to their feet cursing under their breath.

“Yesss Doctor…” they both mumbled.

“Good, now get out, you’ll be taken to the last location Crash was in…pray you do not disappoint me further…” Brio handed the device to Joe before having them escorted from the building by the guards Brio turning back to tuning the laser. The two were then taken from the facility to an unknown location before being kicked out of the ship by one of the assistants.

“Dr Brio said if you fail there will be…consequences…” The assistant smirked down at them “Don’t mess it up” the ship took off leaving the two brothers alone. Joe stood up and growled under his breath.

“I ssswear one day...” he muttered, Moe looked around at their surroundings, they appeared to be in a forest of some kind the various sounds of animals echoed form all areas of the place. Ahead of them was a long dirt pathway littered with what looked like ruins of an ancient civilization.

“We’d better get moving…I want to get thisss over and done with…” Joe growled storming down the path with Moe following behind. As they walked through the forest hacking away at various plants and creatures that tried to attack them the two came to a fairly large ruined building that had a staircase leading to what seemed to be an altar, Joe and Moe gasped as they saw floating on the alter was a crystal. They looked at each other and Joe grinned menacingly.

“I have an idea…” Joe smirked.

“Oh?” Moe replied.

“If the cryssstal is still here…what doesss that mean?” Joe asked his brother who thought about it for a moment scratching his chin.

“It means that….” he looked down at the floor thinking as Joe simply sighed rolling his eyes and smacked Moe’s head.

“It meansss the bandicoot hasssn’t come through yet, which meansss” he looked at his brother trying to get him to understand the plan. Moe rubbed his head before concentrating hard trying to think he was about to answer but stopped and simply shrugged, Joe face palmed and sighed again “It meansss we can amusssh him here idiot.”

Moe grinned now understanding the plan, the two brothers walked to the top of the altar and took up hiding positions where they could see the altar as well as the pathway leading up to it. For what seemed like hours to them they waited patiently before hearing footsteps fast approaching the site, Joe and Moe summoned a sword each into their hands and waited eyeing the pathway, there was a rustle near one of the bushes by the path and then Crash emerged from the bush stopping as he looked around the place. Moe’s fingers twitched on his swords handle itching to attack Crash only being held back by Joe who shot him a quick glare.

Crash started to approach the altar passing where the brothers were hiding, just as he went to grab it Joe nodded to Moe who threw his sword towards him smacking the crystal away as Crash jumped in surprise facing the direction the blade had come from. The brothers stepped out blocking the exit down the stairs each one wielding a sword.

“Ssssso Bandicoot…we meet again” Joe hissed as he grinned baring his fangs, Moe chuckled as he twirled his sword in his hand. “We have come to…persssuade you to help Dr Brio gather the gemsss…” he finished as Crash suddenly charged at the two, they simply smirked before Joe produced Brio’s portal device and pressed the button by Crash. Crash ran straight into the portal and vanished, Joe pressed the button again point it towards a wall which re-opened the portal Crash, still running, shot out and ran smack into the wall.

The brothers laughed as Joe opened the portal again under Crash causing him to fall through it, he opened the portal in front of them in the sky Crash fell down crashing into the floor hard. He tried to stand up but Moe’s foot collided with his stomach sending him slamming into the wall opposite to them, Crash howled in pain coughing some blood up as he shakily stood up to his feet clutching his stomach.

“Will you lisssten to our proposition now Bandicoot?” Joe grinned menacingly as Moe laughed next to him, Crash glared at them and ran at them letting out a cry. “Sssstuborn fool!” Joe growled as he opened a portal under Crash again, Crash fell into it again as Joe opened the portal once more above them. Crash fell down and was grabbed by the throat and thrown into the opposite wall again slumping down, Joe grinned widely, he was having too much fun getting his own back on the Bandicoot. He shoved the device into Moe’s unsuspecting hands “Thisss one is perssssonal…” he growled as he kicked Crash hard in his stomach, Crash howled again in pain as he coughed up more blood. “Now…will you agree to help ussss?” Crash looked up at him when they heard a girl scream behind them.

“STOP!”

Joe and Moe turned round to see Coco and Aku-Aku standing there, Coco saw her brother lying on the floor in pain and gasped. Joe grinned as he turned to Moe, dropping Crash he walked over to Moe and cracked his knuckles. Moe roared as he started to fling sword after sword at Coco only to have them deflected by Aku-Aku’s magic, Moe grunted in frustration as he pointed the device at Aku-Aku.

“Thisss will put you down you piece of firewood!” he roared

Aku-Aku sensing danger cast a spell on the device freezing it as Moe went to press the button, the device did nothing. Out of anger Moe began to bash it hard, Joe growled and grabbed the device.

“Ssstop that you fool you’ll break it!” Joe hissed at his brother who tried to yank it away from him, Moe growled and tugged it back.

“Back off Joe it’s my turn to ussse it!”

The two brothers began to struggle over the device not noticing Coco and Aku-Aku sneak past them and run over to Crash helping him up, they turned to watch the brothers who were now at each other’s throats trying to wrench the device off the other.

“You’ll only messs up again!” Joe hissed at him.

“I’m not the one who though ssspinning was a good attack plan!” Moe countered.

As they argued Aku-Aku used his magic to heal Crash’s injuries and Coco helped him up, Joe suddenly shouted.
“You ssstupid idiot! You’ll ruin our chance to redeem ourssselves!” he kicked Moe hard in his stomach Moe’s eyes widened falling to his knees winded, Joe now in control of the device grinned turned to face Coco and quickly realised she wasn’t there anymore, he turned around to see if Crash was still there. Oh he was there alright.

Crash was not only up but a couple of feet away from him, before Joe or Moe had time to react he had spun rapidly and kicked the pair hard knocking them flying down the stairs in surprise. As they slammed into the bottom of the stairs Joe groaned dazed as Moe got up he growled.

“You’ll pay for that Bandicoot!” he roared drawing his sword, just as he was about to run up the stairs Aku-Aku’s freeze spell he had earlier placed on the device wore off, the device, now un frozen, kicked back into life and sparks began to shoot from it thanks to Moe’s violent bashing. Joe shakily rose to his feet and picked the device up ignoring the sparks he glared at Aku-Aku, he pointed the device towards the three and pressed the button as Moe began to charge up the stairs. The device didn’t respond for a few seconds before it violently began to shake, Joe widened his eyes in alarm as the device shot a portal on the floor in front of him, Moe heard the portal open and turned round but before he could do anything he felt himself being violently pulled off his feet into towards the portal. He screamed as he grabbed Joe’s arm at the last minute pulling him with him as they both fell into the portal screaming.

The Bandicoots and Aku-Aku just watched in shock as the portal violently swallowed up the Komodo Brothers before closing with a loud boom, there was a brief silence.

“Are…are they dead?” Coco looked to Aku-Aku slightly concerned.

“No…I sense they are alive but…I cannot tell where they will end up” the mask replied looking up into the sky.

“What in Celestia?” Twilight exclaimed as the portal grew bigger two screams were heard getting louder and louder.
Joe and Moe tumbled through the portal rapidly each screaming in pure terror they had no idea how long they had been falling and no idea what was going to happen, they were blinded by a bright light as they shot out of what appeared to be another portal.

Twilight and the girls stood there shocked as two strange figures shot out up into the air screaming as the portal, as quickly as it opened, suddenly closed with a loud boom, the two brothers hurtled into the ground and lay there groaning in pain the device slammed down next to them and broke into several pieces. All the ponies stopped running around in terror and stopped to stare at the strange creatures who were shakily rising to their feet. Twilight took a step forward about to say something but gasped as Moe growled at Joe.

“You idiot!” he roared at him “You ssshould of ssseen where you fired the portal!”

Joe snarled back at him

“You’re the clot who ssstarted bassshing the device, thisss is your fault!”

“Uhm...excuse me?” Twilight nervously spoke up hoping to try and calm the two down.

“I’m not the one who suggesssted that ssstupid plan of attack!” Moe scrunched his hands into a tight fist now face to face with his brother

“At least when I throw my ssswords I can actually hit my target!” Joe retorted his own fists clenching up.

“Excuse me” twilight said again, she noticed the arguing pair were frightening the ponies including Fluttershy.

“IF YOUR SSSSUCH A GOOD SHOT WHY DIDN’T YOU THROW YOUR SWORDSSS AS WELL?!” Moe roared in Joe’s face.

“EXCUSE ME!” twilight shouted startling the two who turned to look at her with surprised expressions.

“That’s better” she cleared her throat “Who are you two? And what are you exactly?” she asked looking them up and down, the two brothers simply stared at her lost for words before Joe spoke up.

“Well it appearsss we have run into some more of Doctor Cortex’s experiments Moe…” he looked around at the crowd of ponies “Though I’m not sure why he used the evolv-o-ray ray on so many horses”

“Horses?” Twilight blinked “Were not horses were ponies, and what the heck is an ‘evolv-o-ray?’” she tilted her head, the crowd of ponies had cautiously moved in closer as the brothers looked at one another.

“You mean… you’re not sssome of Doctor Cortex’s experiments?” Joe looked at Twilight.

“No were not, what are you taking about?” she replied arching her eyebrow up.

“Wait…where are we exactly…” Joe said slowly to her.

“You’re in Ponyville, more importantly you’re in Equestria” she beamed proudly, Joe and Moe looked at one another.

“Doctor Brio is going to kill usss” Joe nervously said.

[Note- some of Joe and Moe's words have extra s's on them because of how Joe speaks in Crash Team Racing]

Introductions

The group of ponies surrounding the two brothers began muttering to one another quietly in uncertainty.

“They can talk Equestrian?”

“Yeah…what are they though?”

“And why do they keep elongating their S’s?”

The crowd stopped muttering for a moment as Twilight cleared her throat.

“N-now that you two have stopped arguing “‘Ok’ she thought ‘just try and keep a calm and cool level head’ “Can you tell us who and what you are?”

“No” Joe replied keeping his eyes on the unicorn his hand clenching and un-clenching.

“Please?” Twilight steeped closer giving a smile trying her best not to appear confident.

“No” Joe stated again.

“Please? I just want to know you-“Twilight pleaded again before receiving a growl from Joe.

“I said no! Ssssso just back off!” Joe growled at her baring his sharp fangs, Fluttershy whimpered and hid behind Applejack. Rainbow Dash glared and shot in front of Twilight puffing her chest out to look intimidating.

“HEY No pony talks to my friend like that!” she scowled at Joe.
“Quite right” Rarity added standing beside Twilight “I’ve never seen a creature so rude before in my life!” she sniffed and turned her head away disgusted.

“Your gunna have to tell us your name at some point anyhow” Applejack said standing beside Rainbow Dash with Fluttershy reluctantly tagging along behind her “So start yapping and tells us your names!” Joe clenched his fists again getting more and more irritated.

“I ssssaid no” he replied.

“Look ‘pal’” Dash said emphasising sarcastically the last word “You can keep saying no all you like, you’re not going to win this argument!”

“Oh yesss I am” Joe hissed at her.

“Oh no you’re not” Dash replied, Moe looked back between his brother and Dash as did the other ponies all tense on how the conversation would turn out.

“Oh yesss I am”

Joe growled out his reply loudly enough for the other ponies to hear. During the heated discussion Fluttershy crept from behind Applejack and shook as she looked up at Moe who was focused on the argument but looked visible concerned, she gently tugged at his robes causing him to look down at her.

“O-oh…p-please Mr tall g-green creature….it won’t h-hurt you to tell…us… you’re…name…” Fluttershy spoke up quietly before shrinking behind Applejack as she spoke, Moe blinked at her and was about to tell her when Joe stuck his hand over his mouth.

“Don’t tell her Moe”

“Moe!” Dash grinned triumphantly “I knew you’d slip up” Joe snapped his head back to her and hissed to try and intimidate her but to no avail, Dash just hovered there smirking triumphantly. Moe couldn’t help but let out a snicker.

“Ah so your name is Moe then?” Twilight smiled at Moe who pushing his brother’s hand off his face smiled back.

“Yesss, my name is Moe and he isss called Joe, were the Komodo Brothers” he nudged his brother in the side gently with his elbow; Joe grumbled and nodded his head.

“Well my name is Twilight Sparkle, this is Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and last but not least Pinkie Pie” she pointed to the corresponding pony when she said there name each giving a nod or smile.

With the introductions made most of the crowd began to disperse satisfied with the situation being defused, Twilight was about to ask the two more questions before she realised Pinkie Pie had been quiet for the entire duration of the conversation quickly she shot her a glance and saw the mare was still in awe staring at the two. Twilight gulped before giving her a poke with her hoof.

“Uhm…Pinkie?” she asked nervously, Pinkie blinked rapidly a couple of times then a huge grin etched onto her face making Twilight face hoof herself, ‘here we go…’ she thought knowing what was about to happen.

“OH MY GOSH!” Pinkie screamed in delight bouncing rapidly around the two brothers who were looking at her startled. “ITS SO AWESOME TO MEET YOU YOU’RE GUNNA LOVE IT HERE!” she suddenly screeched to a halt as he inhaled with a loud gasp before jumping onto Moe’s chest holding onto his robes face to face with him “WE HAVE TO THROW YOU A PARTY!” she grinned manically as she suddenly bounced off him and sped off into the distance.

“W….what jusssst happened?” Moe asked dazed confusedly.

“Ya just got Pinkie’d sugar cube” Applejack chuckled.

“Come on, we can go to my house and answer any questions you have, which I’m certain you have and hopefully answer some of ours!” Twilight beamed as she started to lead the group to her home.

“Yesss…” Joe started “That would be bessst”

“There…ALL done” Spike grinned looking around the now clean library with pride, it had taken him all morning to clean up another of Twilight’s late night midnight studying session, he shot a glare at Owlowiscious who was softly sleeping on his perch “Stupid owl…has to be nocturnal” he muttered as he went into the kitchen to make himself some lunch, he rummaged around before finding a jar labelled ‘Spike, do not take!’ Spike simply shrugged and looked around with an evil grin before taking out an emerald. He placed the jar back and happily walked to the living room and settled himself on the sofa; it would be ages before Twilight would come back so he had plenty of time to enjoy his emerald, or so he thought, just as he was about to bite into the gem the door opened.

“And this is my home please have a seat” Twilight smiled as she let in the two brothers followed by the other girls, Spike’s jaw dropped as he looked at the two tall figures.

“T-twilight…?” he said nervously.

“And this is my faithful assistant, Spike!” she pointed at the little dragon with a hoof before noticing the emerald. “…have you been stealing gems?” she raised her eyebrow.

“Uhm well yes I mean no I mean…I uh…found it?” Spike tried to explain, Twilight giggled at him before smiling.

“Oh ok just this once” she said to him as Spike licked his lips taking a bite into the gem.

“NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Joe suddenly shouted in despair staring at the emerald, everyone jumped at his outburst except Moe who also stared in disbelief.

“U-uhm Mr Joe-” Twilight tried to say before Joe suddenly swiped the half eaten gem from Spikes claws and clutched onto it falling to his knees.

“YOU’VE RUINED IT!” he choked back a sob “Ssssuch a waste…” Joe began to softly stroke the emerald as if it was a cat; Moe pulled him to his feet with a grunt. The girls stood there confused as Twilight tilted her head.

“Are…you ok?” she asked him levitating the gem back to Spike much to Joe’s reluctance, his brother the only thing holding him back from lurching at the emerald.

“Ssssorry…I jusssst love gems….the sight of them, the feel of them the ssssmell of them…” Joe trailed off happily; the girls looked at each other nervously as Moe looked at them.

“We have a liking of rare gemsss…especially my brother” he gave Joe a slap to the back of his head snapping him out of his trance rubbing his head with a sheepish grin.

“So my first question is…what are you exactly? Twilight asked them.

“We are Komodo Dragonsss” Joe stated sitting down on the sofa with Moe, as the words left his mouth there was a loud gasp came six who stood their ground.

“Y-you’re dragons? Oh my goodness that’s incredible! Though I’ve never heard of dragons wearing clothes before, but who cares? Dragons! Twilight said with a massive grin on her face.

“Oh my gosh it’s so cool to meet another dragon! Well…a dragon that doesn’t try to kill me or other ponies for that matter…or one who is as small as you guys!” he looked up at them his eyes sparkling. Joe and Moe gave each other a glance blinking before Joe turned to Spike.

“Uh…there’s now ssssuch thing as Dragonsss…there a myth” Moe frowned at him, he didn’t want to crush the little guys spirit seeing as he was a reptile like them. Spike blinked before laughing along with the girls.

“Yeah, and Griffins don’t have feathers or fly, good one guys!” Spike said between laughs although he soon started to stop as he noticed the brother’s unamused faces. “Uhm…you weren’t joking were you…”

“Why would we joke? They don’t exisssst its fact” Joe simply shrugged.

“But…ya’ll just said you were dragons” Applejack said.

“No I said were Komodo Dragonsss” Joe replied, Twilight and the girls exchanged confused looks.

“What’s the difference?” Rarity asked them

“Nothing really” Moe started “Were a type of lizard that live in sssome islands near a country called Indonesssia, however thossse lizards that live there aren’t like we are.” Spike frowned hearing they weren’t dragons, this made Moe frown to.
“Meaning what exactly?” Twilight said sitting herself down on a chair scribbling notes away.

“We were originally just lizards till we were ‘changed’ by meansss of the evolv-o-ray-” Joe tried to explain before being interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“Evolvo what now?”

Joe growled, he was getting a bit irritated now and clenched his fist tightly.

“Let me finish” he growled “The evolv-v-o-ray wasss created by a man called Doctor Neo Cortex but perfected by Doctor Nitrus Brio, asss far as I know it turnssss creatures into well…intelligent beingsss” in truth Joe didn’t really know how the ray worked, he only got random bits of information from Brio when he hired them to sort out Crash, ranting about Cortex stealing the credit and the such.

“I see…” Twilight wanted to ask more questions but could easily tell Joe was getting annoyed and decided to hold her tongue. “And do you have any questions you’d like to ask?”

“Yesss, firstly, where the hell are we exactly” Joe said

“Like I told you earlier, you’re in Ponyville Equestria” she replied

“Ssso were not on Earth?”

“No…there’s no place called Earth in Equestria.”

Joe nodded to himself quietly for a moment tapping his jaw with his claws thinking, Moe decided to ask a question.
“What are you lot exactly anyway…you said poniesss but…” he trailed off as he looked to Twilight deciding that she was the apparent leader of the group.

“Yes that’s correct, we’re ponies more specially though Rarity and myself are unicorns, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are pegasi and Applejack and Pinkie Pie who is the pink one you uh…encountered earlier are earth ponies” she pointed to each pony as she said their names each one giving a nod or smile. During this time Joe had been pondering something and decided to speak his mind.

“Doesss this world have a lot of gems then?” he motioned towards Spike who was now devouring the last of the emerald happily.

“Huh? Well yes, yes it does our world has thousands of mines and caves filled with them though some of them are dragon homes and others are out in the Everfree forest and places ponies can’t get to without risk. There are however places owned by ponies such as mines like I mentioned and the Royal Magical Gem mine.” Twilight replied with a smile on her face.
“Wait….magical?” Joe asked tilting his head

“Mhm, there gems that the Princesses use for spells and as gifts for dignitaries that visit Equestria”

Joe’s eyes lit up as he smirked to himself tapping his jaw again with his claws.

“Interesssting…”he muttered to himself.

“One thing I want to ask but please don’t be offended” Twilight lowered her ears and gritted her teeth “Why do you two talk like that?”

“Like what?” Moe raised his brow at her.

“You know…with your elongation of the letter s” she cringed ready for some form of angry retort but none came instead she heard Moe let out a loud ‘hmm’.

“You know…I don’t even know why” he shrugged then gave her a grin, Twilight let out a sigh of relief.

The conversation carried on for a few more minutes, Moe asked basic questions about their world such as its ruling body and Twilight asked them the same about theirs.

“So there are more creatures that have been changed by that ray?” she asked Moe.

“Yesss, we know a fair few creatures some are friendsss others are…”he stopped to think about Crash and growled “others are not. Twilight heard him growl and decided not press matters further.

“Well…I think it’s about time we go find what Pinkie has done…OH that reminds me I need to tell the Princess about you two she’d love to meet you!” she turned to the girls “You girls go on ahead me and Spike will catch up”

The group led the two brothers out of the building leaving Spike and Twilight in the room, Spike picked up a blank scroll and a quill and looked to Twilight who cleared her throat.

“Dear Princess Celestia”

The group were silent as they walked through the streets of Ponyville; most ponies gave them a wide berth although there were not as many around as the brothers had initially thought of. The girls knew the reason for this but decided not to tell them.

“So…what ya’ll guys do anyway” Applejack asked them trying to clear the awkward silence.

“Well were mercenariesss” Joe replied bluntly.

“What’s a mercenary?” she asked looking back at them, before either one could reply Dash’s face lit up.

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh!” she suddenly shot up and hovered in front of Joe “Are you serious?! That’s so AWESOME!” she pushed her cheeks together making a face at Joe who looked at her confused.

“Dash, you know what that is?” Applejack looked back at her friend.

“Well duh! There in the Daring-Do books I read, brave cold hearted warriors who will serve anyone who asks performing amazing feats of bravery…or savagery, you know for the right price” she cackled looming over Fluttershy who whimpered hiding behind her mane.

“Heaven’s sake Rainbow Dash do stop scaring poor Fluttershy” she scowled at Rainbow as she snickered and gave Fluttershy a reassuring pat on the back “I’m sure the Komodo brothers aren’t anything like that now are you?” she looked to Joe with an expression he read as ‘please reassure her’

“Uh…why yesss Flutterssssshy, we are indeed warriorssss but we only do work for people who are good hearted like a King or Queen”

“But Joe we work for-“Moe was interrupted with an elbow in his chest and quickly shut up.

“There you see dear Fluttershy, nothing to worry about” she smiled at Fluttershy who smiled softly back having stopped shaking. After a while the group came to a strange looking building, the brothers stopped and stared at it.

“Isss…that building made out of….cake?” Moe asked his mouth wide open as he stared at the building salivating a little.
“Nah it’s just designed that way” Rainbow replied much to Moe’s disappointment, the approached the door and opened it revealing a pitch black room. The girls stepped in followed by the two brothers who slowly advanced in.

“Why isss it so-“Joe was cut off as the lights suddenly came on and was greeted by a room full of ponies, a large banner on the wall had ‘Welcome to Ponyville Lizardmen!’ written on it.

“SURPRISE!” came a collective cry from the room sending the brothers into the air with a startled fright.
“W-whatssss going on?!” Joe cried clutching his chest panting heavily.

“It’s a party silly!” Pinkie said popping up as if from nowhere in front of him startling him once more “To welcome to you to Ponyville! LETS PARTY!” the whole room cheered as music began playing and several ponies started to dance mingle with one another, the two brothers just looked at each other each as confused as the other.

“Oh I see you’ve met the wrath of a Pinkie party”

The turned round to see Twilight with Spike on her back smiling at them.

“I had the same treatment when I first came to Ponyville, you get used to it” she giggled as she joined her friends, Pinkie Pie suddenly grabbed Moe’s arm and dragged him off to a group of ponies.

“Come on I’ll introduce you to every pony!”

Moe looked at his brother in desperation for some help; Joe couldn’t help but let out a laugh and shook his head with a ‘you’re on your own brother’ expression on his face. His laughter soon stopped as he was dragged off to the other side of the room by Applejack who began to make introductions.

The party carried on for a good couple of hours, Joe was getting more and more annoyed with each passing minute not really caring about the ponies he was being introduced to or forced to dance with Moe on the other hand was having a good time. He had Spike on his shoulder for the most part and was quite happily munching on the food on offer as well as conversing with the ponies, it felt good to him that someone was appreciating him as he regaled Spike with stories he had heard about his world the little dragon hanging onto his every word.

As the day drew to a close the party began to die down ponies leaving feeling better about the two new visitors some saying goodbye to them before departing, Twilight sighed and smiled at them giggling at the sight of Pinkie who was contently sleeping on a table cuddling a large half eaten chocolate cake, the rest being on her front and mouth.

“Some party eh? Pinkie sure knows how to throw them”

“Yesss it was…fun” Joe forced out the last word as he crossed his arms, Moe on the other hand was grinning.
“It wasss brilliant!” he chuckled as he ate another pastry Spike handed to him.

“Seems you made a new friend” she giggled as Spike and Moe looked to one another then grinned.

“Sure have Twi! Moe is…so…totally-“Spike tried to finish his sentence but fell off Moe’s shoulder snoring away; Twilight caught him with her magic levitating him onto her back giggling.

“Bless him...well I’d better get him back home, you two coming? “She asked the two.

“What do you mean coming?” Joe asked her raising his brow.

“Well until you meet the Princess which will most likely be tomorrow you can stay with me at the library I have a guest room which would be the best place to sleep until every pony is fully comfortable with you two being around.”

“Well….yesss that does make ssssense, we will be with you momentarily I would like to have a private word with my brother”

“Ok see you at home then” Twilight replied and headed out of the room leaving the brothers alone with a passed out Pinkie Pie. Joe waited till he was certain he was out of earshot and gave a wicked smirk as he whispered to Moe.

“Lisssten… you remember that purple one talking about that magic gem mine?”

“Twilight, yesss what about it?”

Joe grinned showing his fangs

“I have an idea…”

The plan unfolds

The brothers entered the library and headed for the guest room to settle down for the night, the two brothers nodded to each other and got into the beds that Twilight had set up. They both stuck out slightly due to the beds being pony sized but it didn’t bother them that much, Joe quickly fell asleep with a smirk but Moe remained awake staring up into the celling, his brothers words still mulling in his mind.

“Ssso what’s this idea then?”

“It’s sssimple Moe…Doctor Brio needs gems, yes?”

“Yes?”

“And you heard that unicorn talking about the magical gems yes?”

“Twilight”

“Whatever”

“What about them?”

“You know that Doctor Brio will most likely have ussss killed for failing again yes?”

“Yes…”

“Well, here isss my idea…we will gain the trust of these poniesss…gain accesss to that gem mine…and steal the gems for ourselvessss to give to Doctor in exchange for our livesss…and a small fee of course…”

“But wasssn’t the portal device destroyed?”

“I’m certain we can ussse the gemsss or something let me worry about it Moe…”

Moe kept mulling the words around in his mind, he wasn’t too sure the plan could be pulled off but sighed and thought it best not to question it, after all Joe was the more intelligent of the pair. Moe rolled over and closed his eyes slowly drifting off to sleep. As the sun shone in through the window Moe sat up slowly lazily yawning as he scratched his chest, he saw that Joe was already up and shrugged, Joe was an early riser anyway. He got up and sluggishly headed down the stairs and entering the sitting room, Twilight was sitting on the sofa levitating a book in front of her whilst a warm cup of what Moe assumed was tea or coffee next to her.

“Ah good morning Moe, I hope you had a pleasant sleep?" she said upon seeing Moe enter.

“Yesss….it was quite nice” he smiled back at her “Have you ssseen my brother at all?”

“Joe said he wanted to go for a walk around town, he should be back soon for breakfast. Oh yes before I forget Moe I received a scroll a moment ago from the Princess saying she has invited you and your brother to meet her and her sister Luna. Don’t worry it’s just a formality, she wants to make sure you too won’t cause any problems for us but I can vouch for you” She smiled at him as she spoke, Moe’s heart sank slightly remembering the plan he and Joe were going to do to them.

“Uhm…ok I sssee well thatsss good” he replied, he felt something clambering up his back before settling on his shoulder he eyed what it was to see Spike.

“Morning Moe!” he grinned.

“And to you Sssspike”

“So…can I go with you guys when you go and see the princess?” he asked Twilight clinging to the side of Moe’s head like a little brother, Twilight giggled.

“Well I don’t think I could pry you off Moe anyway, yes, you can come with us Spike”

“AWESOME!” Spike hugged Moe’s head as Moe just smiled and chuckled softly.

They were interrupted by the door opening as Joe strode in his mischievous grin still etched on his face as he waved in an odd cheery manner to the group.

“Good morning Twilight Moe and Sssspike, it isss a beautiful day”

“Uh…sssame to you Joe”

“Ssso what is the plan for today then?” Joe asked Twilight.

“Well as I said to Moe you to will meet our rulers, just a formality don’t worry” Twilight replied smiling at him, Joe nodded then pointed at Spike”

“Why…isss he on your shoulder Moe”

“Becaussse he climbed up there?”

“Well don’t encourage him” Joe didn’t want either of them to have any close connection to the ponies due to their plan “He may…fall off and hurt himsssself”

Spike frowned and was about to get off but Moe stopped him glaring at Joe.

“He’s fine Joe I don’t mind him being there”

Joe hissed then sighed giving up turning back to Twilight.

“Ssso when are we leaving?”

“The chariot should be here in an hour or so, we can have breakfast first before meeting the girls and heading off” she replied hopping off the sofa walking to the kitchen with Moe Joe and Spike following her. Breakfast was relatively quiet, the only ones really talking was Spike asking questions about the brothers, he hadn’t been this close to anything that like a dragon before that hadn’t tried to kill him. Moe was more than happy to converse with him, Joe on the other hand remained silent as they ate their food, Twilight had prepared them bowls of porridge as she wasn’t sure they what they actually ate but was happy to see the two were wolfing down the meal. After they had finished their breakfast there was a knock on the door.

“Spike can you get that?” Twilight asked him, Spike nodded and hoped of Moe’s shoulder and headed to the door opening it.

“Oh hello girls, come in”

They heard Spike say turning their heads to see the other girls enter the library, Twilight stepped down from the table and greeted her friends followed by the brothers who also greeted the girls, they started chattering to one another about the days forthcoming events, Moe was talking away to Rarity and Applejack with Spike on his shoulder again grinning widely asking him more questions to which Moe simply laughed enjoying the attention when there came the sound of wings beating and a dull thud of something touching the ground. Twilight opened the door to be greeted by an armoured pegasi who bowed before addressing the crowd.

“By the order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, we have been tasked with brining the bearers of the elements and the two…” he shot a glance at the brothers” visitors to the royal palace in Canterlot.”

The girls began an excited chatter as they exited the library and got into a large looking carriage that had several armoured pegasi at the front and back, Moe and Joe were the last two to get in with the former having Spike still sitting on his shoulders. The trip was spent with the girls and Spike talking to one another about the last time they had visited Canterlot, about how they had helped Princess Cadence and Shining Armour defeat the changelings and their queen Chrysalis. Joe had sat there in silence taking in what the girls were talking about sneering to himself ‘They HAVE to be lying…it just sssounds so ridiculousss!’ Joe thought to himself grumbling quietly to himself crossing his arms. Moe had his mouth agape as they talked.

“Did…you really do all that?”

“We sure did!” Rainbow said proudly “Showed that ugly Queen not to mess with us!”

“Well uhm…actually…R-rainbow Dash it was more…uhm Princess Cadence and S-shining armour kinda did…all t-the work” Fluttershy pointed out quietly, Rainbow snorted.

“Well yeah but they couldn’t of done it without our help”

“I wouldn’t mind hearing about thisss story Rainbow” Moe said to her grinning as he leaned forwards as Rainbow beamed proudly and began to recite the events of the day.

“And then I pulled off the greatest stunt ever in Equestrian history…THE SONIC RAINBOOM!” Rainbow Dash pulled a heroic pose to finish off her story, Joe had tried to block out the story and focus on the finer details of his plan but from what he had heard he had to give the ponies credit for that, he couldn’t figure how a creature so small could accomplish so much. Then he remembered Crash and how small he was compared to him and glared out of the carriage window, Moe on the other hand had been enjoying the story and couldn’t help but laugh grinning from cheek to cheek.

“That isss a fantastic tale Rainbow, simply incredible all of you”

The girls giggled and thanked him Fluttershy blushing as she hid behind her mane embarrassed slightly, Moe spent the remainder of the journey asking them questions on other deeds they had accomplished simply astounded at them. Joe who was still trying to not pay attention gave up after a while and began to note down what they had done thinking it was best to know how the ‘enemy’ operated, as he continued to look outside Joe then spotted what appeared to be a large city on the side of a mountain.

“Were nearly there oh I can just SEE the styles every pony is wearing now!” Rarity cooed sighing contently, Moe leaned to view outside and saw what Joe had seen and gasped at the vast city never seeing anything like it before. From next to him he heard Twilight giggle.

“I take it you like the city?”

“It’ssss…incredible, I’ve never seen anything like it”

The chariot came to a stop inside the palace ground where three guards were waiting for them, the girls got out first walking over to the guards, Moe Joe and Spike soon followed standing still as the chariot flew off, Moe scratched his chin confused as they watched Twilight hugging the pony in front of the two other guards fondly.

“Shinning!”

“Hey Twily” the guard grinned ruffling Twilight’s mane.

“That’s her older brother” Spike whispered to Moe who nodded. Shinning looked up from his sister and walked past the girls over to the two brothers followed by two guards each levitating a spear next to them.

“As Captain of the guard I must ask you to remove any form of weaponry on you before you meet with the Princess’s, do you have any weapons on you?” Shinning asked them sternly.

“Well…ssssort of” Joe began; the girls gave them confused and slightly worried looks. The two guards raised their spears up defensively; Moe looked at each of them curiously watching the spears angle slowly begin to tip towards him or so he thought.

“What do you mean sort of? Reveal your weapons please and throw them on the ground” Shinning asked himself taking a defensive position, Moe noticed the two guards spears where starting to angle towards Shinning. His eyes widened as Twilight screamed.

“SHINNING LOOK OUT!“

Just as the spears came down Moe lunged forward and grabbed Shinning pulling him back just as the two spears slammed into the ground hard just where he had been standing, Shinning winced in pain as blood ran down his hind leg where one of the spears had sliced into him. The two guards growled and pulled their spears out and lunged for Joe and Shinning their spears pointed at them, Joe swung his leg round and kicked the spears to one side before bringing his fist into the gut of one of the guards sending him backwards. The other guard grunted as he drew his spear with his magic and tossed it at Moe, Joe let go of Shinning and with a quick flick of his wrist produced a sword and deflected the spear with ease.

The girls snapped out of their sudden shock and ran over to assist, Spike who had been on Moe’s shoulder, lept down and was caught by Rarity’s magic and taken to one side away from danger. Rainbow and Applejack ran towards the guard Joe had punched who brought up his spear and began to charge at them. The two stopped as Joe pushed past them with a loud roar pulling two swords out of nowhere and blocked the guards spear before bringing the second sword down aiming for the guards chest, the guard pulled back just as the sword sliced past narrowly missing his chest and clanged as it hit the floor. Twilight and Pinkie ran towards Shinning with Fluttershy behind them but were stopped by Moe who growled at them.

“GO! GET HIM OUT OF HERE, WE’LL HANDLE THISSSS!”

The two girls nodded and helped Shinning away from the guard and Joe and over towards Rarity, Moe and Joe began to aggressively duel with the two guards easily gaining an upper hand. A loud thunder of hooves came from the building as guards poured into the grounds; the two guards seeing this pushed away from the two and began to run dropping their spears in the process.

“Oh no you don’t!” Joe growled as he and Moe threw their swords at the retreating figures both swords finding their targets as they let out screams of pain and collapsed to the ground, Moe and Joe ran walked over to the guards as they crawled in pain the swords embedded in their spines. The two brothers grinned as Moe raised his other sword up Joe summoned another and raised that up.

“N-no spare us!” one of the guards cried blood leaking from his mouth and back.

“Ssssso ssssorry” Joe said sarcastically as they both brought their swords down on the two cutting their screams off suddenly. The other guards rushed over to the two all drawing spears and swords forming a circle around them about to attack.

“STOP” The guards turned to see Shinning limping over with the help of Twilight and Pinkie. “Don’t attack them, they saved my life.”

The guards nodded in obedience and lowered their weapons; there was a hissing sound as they all looked to the guard’s bodies which dissolved to that of black creatures with holes in their legs.

“Changelings…I should have known” Shinning spat as he glared at the bodies before turning his attention to the brothers “You have my thanks…” Joe turned to the body of the changeling to inspect it as Moe rubbed the back of his head and grinned.

“It wasss nothing…”

“NOTHING?” Twilight almost screeched out “You just saved my brother’s life!” she dashed over to Moe and embraced him in a tight hug; Moe was stunned for a moment but slowly hugged her back, he hadn’t been hugged before and he felt warmth inside of him, he heard Twilight sob softly into his robes as he smiled and stroked her back.

“It’ssss ok Twilight…he’sss safe”

“That was so awesome!” Rainbow cried out “I didn’t know you guys had magic!”

“What do you mean magic?” Moe asked her confused.

“You know, with the swords and such” Applejack replied.

“Oh, well…I don’t know if it’ssss magic or not” Moe shrugged as he let Twilight go who sniffled. “You going to be ok?”

“Y-yeah sorry” she let go of him wiping her eyes with a hoof as Shining pulled her into a hug smiling “My brother just means a lot to me…thank you guys… “

“Ssso this is a changeling then, the things from your story” Joe said as he re-joined them.

The guards began to search the area for any other signs of changelings as the girls explained to the brothers what the changelings were exactly, as the girls spoke Shinning was being looked over by a white unicorn with a bandaged heart as her cutie mark who was addressing the wound on his leg.

“Aahh careful!” he winced as she giggled.

“Oh hush now tis but a scratch”

The girls giggled as Twilight nuzzled him affectionately.

“Well that was one way to welcome you to the castle I suppose”

They all turned to the see who spoke to see a white alicorn walking down the steps from the building followed by a dark blue alicorn. The guards immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed in their direction as did the girls.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna!” Twilight called out as she ran over to embrace the white alicorn, Celestica smiled at her.
“Hello my faithful student, is your brother ok?”

“I’m fine your highness just a” he inhaled sharply as the nurse dabbed his wound “just a scratch”

Celestia and Luna giggled softly

“Please Shinning I insist you call me auntie now”

“I’ll try to in future auntie”

Twilight and the princess’s giggled as they approached the two brothers who stood there unsure as what to do.

“So you are the two new comers then, quite a performance, and not a bad way to give a first impression I must say “ She looked over to the changelings bodies “Today’s meeting could of gone better than this…but you two have my heartfelt gratitude for saving our nephews life”

“Indeed you do” Luna added as both the sisters bowed their heads to the brothers who rubbed their arms slightly embarrassed.

“Uhm…it wasss nothing your majesties” Joe said sheepishly, Celestia smiled at him.

“Come, we can continue our discussion in the royal council room, we have much to discuss about your arrival here.”
The Two sisters turned and headed inside the palace with several of the guards followed by the girls, Twilight helping her brother to hobble inside as Spike clambered back onto Moe’s shoulder.

“That was so cool you gotta show me how you make those swords appear” he started as Moe softly chuckled giving the little dragon’s head spines a playful ruffle. Joe walked behind them a smirk etched onto his face as he crossed his arms behind his back.

’They seem to trust us already…this is going to be easier than I thought, now I only need to contact the Doctor…’ he thought to himself as he entered the palace.

The plan hits a problem

“And that, Princesss Celestia is how we got here”

Joe finished off telling how he and Moe had arrived, he had left out the parts of beating Crash near to death as well as Dr Brio’s past exploits and told her that Dr Brio was trying to stop Cortex from taking over their world, which was true in a small sense but she didn’t need to know that. He gave a toothy grin trying his best to seem truly convincing.

Moe sat at the table which was adorned with a large amount of food which he thought must have been a thank you for saving Shining Armour, he was sat next to his brother and was exchanging glances between him and Celestia not sure on why Joe was leaving specific moments out of their story, Spike munched a few gems as he sat on Moe’s shoulder watching Joe and the Princess exchange words along with the girls. Luna sat gave Moe a look over but couldn’t help smiling a little watching Spike cling to his shoulder like a little brother before turning her attention along with her sister’s to Joe.

“I see” Celestia replied scanning over the brother carefully as she stroked her chin with her hoof. “And you say you have no idea how to get back home?”

“That isss correct, however I do have one idea on how we could…” Joe resisted the urge to smirk.

“And what is that?”

“Gemsss”

Celestia raised her brow slightly.

“Gems?”

“Correct, the unicorn Highlight-“

“Twilight” Moe cut in.

“Gesundheit” Joe replied “Anyway, ssshe mentioned you have a magical gem mine…in my world, gemsss have a large power that can be usssed if you know how to. My idea isss that me and my brother spend sssome time in the mine so we can…tune into the gemsss power and then when that’s done…you use your power combined with our energy focusing on our home world and open a portal and we can go home.”

Joe gave her a smile which chilled her slightly, Celestia turned to her sister and quietly began talking to one another, Joe was hoping the Princess would catch his bluff. His idea was to wait till they had been left alone and open a portal themselves and take the gems back with them, Joe hadn’t caught on that Moe had frowned during his conversation with the Princess as Moe was looking from Spike to the girls conflict on his face.

“Are you ok Moe?” Twilight asked him snapping him out of his trance like state

“Huh? Oh yeah ssssorry wasss just thinking.”

Celestia and Luna nodded before the former raised her hoof to silence the room.

“I’ve had time to think over your proposal Joe…and I have come to a conclusion”

Everyone in the room was fixated in her with everyone looming in slightly waiting for the next words to come from her mouth.
“Whilst we are indeed sorry for your predicament and we truly do thank you for saving our nephews life”

Joe’s grin began to widen ‘We agree to let you ussse our mines’

“However”

Joe’s grin dropped immediately

“We have further things to…discuss regarding your proposal” Celestia shot him a glance that sent a shiver down his body, almost as if she was looking into his soul.

“In the meantime” Luna added “You will be taken back to Ponyville and will stay there as our guests, we will summon you back in two days’ time to give our final verdict on your proposal that way you can have a day to relax with your new friends in Ponyville”

Joe hissed softly under his tongue trying not to glare at the two, he got a hold of himself and bowed politely.

“Very well Princesses…”

Joe sat back down and the room began to settle into chatter, Twilight and Celestia talked to one another about her reports and various other things happening in Canterlot, Luna was talking with the other girls especially Fluttershy who seemed to be less then normally shy around her. Moe was happily munching away at his food laughing as he and Spike talked between each other. Joe sat their slowly eating as he growled to himself thinking deeply.

‘Stupid Princess….did ssshe catch my bluff I wonder?’

‘No ssshe couldn’t have, you’re an expert at lying…’

‘Ssstill… those eyes…’

Joe was nudged in the side by Moe who was looking concerned at him.

“You ok Joe?”

“Yesss…I’m fine”

The meal went on a normal as expected, the servants came to clear the empty dishes as the goodbyes were said to one another, Twilight and Celestia shared an affectionate hug as Luna gave Fluttershy a nuzzle. Spike stretched on Moe’s shoulder as the group were escorted outside where a chariot awaited them to take them back to Ponyville. Joe had remained quiet for the duration of the trip deep in his own thoughts trying to make, what he saw it as, a bad situation better, Moe on the other hand was engaged in a happy conversation with the girls asking them further questions on what changelings were.

“Ssso they can change into anything they want?”

“That’s right, that’s why they were able to nearly get Twilight’s brother” Rarity confirmed

“And they feed of love?”

“Correct” Twilight said.

Moe nodded thinking as he stroked his chin before asking them more questions, Joe hissed silently and propped his arm on the window of the chariot looking out trying to ignore them, he felt something pop itself in his lap and he glance down to see Spike looking up at him.

“Yesss?” Joe said flatly

“Are you ok Mr Joe…you’ve been really quiet since the meeting…”

Joe thought for a moment trying to think of the right words before sighing softly.

“Jusssst a lot on my mind right now, and call me Joe”

Spike grinned and nodded his head.

“Sure thing Joe…I was kinda wondering if I could ask you some things about you I mean, I know a lot about Moe but I don’t really know anything about you”

Joe blinked for a moment unsure as to why he wanted to know about him, he glanced to Moe and the girls who had stopped talking and were watching him waiting for his reply. Twilight bit her lip slightly knowing Joe was quick to anger but Joe simply smiled and ruffled Spike’s spines.

“Ok Sssspike fire away”

Spike grinned and began his barrage of questions rivalling that of Twilight as the girls giggled and went back to talking, Joe smiled as he answered the questions Spike asked him.

‘If were to gain their trust and support come the Princesses decision….might as well ssstart with the kid’ he thought to himself.

The chariot arrived safely at Ponyville and the group descended and entered Twilight’s library, the girls all sat down as Spike ran off to make everyone refreshments. Twilight was the first to speak up.

“So do you two have any plans you want to do while you wait for the Princesses verdict?

‘Steal your gemsss’

“None at all at the moment” Joe lied

Joe was hoping he and Moe could be left alone somewhat to try and figure out how to swipe the gems if the verdict was against their favour.

“Well…if you two want to you could spend the day with us around the town?”

Joe was about to ‘politely’ decline when Moe interrupted him a grin etched on his face.

“Ssssure we’d love to”

Joe silently hissed at him before faking a smile and nodding as the girls all grinned.

“But Sugarcube” Applejack said to Twilight “There only gunna be hear fer a day, and were all gunna be to plum busy to properly spend the day together”

Twilight frowned as Joe resisted the urge to smirk.

‘Perfect…now I can get back to planning-‘his thoughts were cut off by his brother once more.

“We could sssplit up? Joe could ssspend time with three of you and vice versssa…and maybe we could have a party in the evening just the eight of usss” Moe grinned at Pinkie on the last part who had begun to bounce in place rapidly her eyes sparkling.

‘Remind me to kill you later Moe’ Joe hissed silently to himself.

“That’s a grand idea darling!” Rarity beamed as she brushed her mane out of her face.

The group began to discuss the plans for the following day except for Joe; he was silently banging his head into the wall growling softly to himself.

“Then it’s settled, Joe will spend the day with Rarity Rainbow and Pinkie whilst Moe can spend the day with me Fluttershy and Applejack.” Twilight nodded as the group agreed.

“Sssounds like a plan” Moe agreed before feeling Joe’s clawed hand firmly grasp his shoulder.

“Girlsss do you mind if I take my dear brother here for a quiet stroll”

He looked down to Spike who was looking up at him, his eyes asking him if he could join them

“Alone”

Spike frowned slightly.

“Uhm sure Joe don’t be too long ok?” Twilight replied a little confused but shrugged it off

Joe practically escorted Moe out of the building and walked him down the road, ponies gave them a slight berth but not as much as when they first arrived. The two walked in silence Moe looked down at his brother concerned.

“Isss everything alright Joe?”

Joe didn’t reply but Moe could have sworn he felt Joe’s grip tighten as they suddenly turned down a secluded alleyway away from prying eyes and ears and he slammed Moe into the wall pushing his arm into his neck and hissed menacingly.

“Now lisssten Moe, we have one ssshot of getting back home and one shot only and you are not going to messs up my plan by getting all damn chummy with thesssse horses”

“Poniesss” Moe hissed as he gasped for air.

“Whatever! The point isss we can’t get to attached to them!” he sighed and released his grip on Moe who stumbled to one knee holding his throat coughing. “I’m ssssorry I did that Moe…you know how you are easssily trustworthy and quick to befriend things like with that lizard-“.”

“Dragon” Moe stumbled up growling but nodded slightly.

“Dragon...” Joe hissed softly” And I jusssst want to be able to pull off this plan without any problems ok because remember, if we go back to Earth empty handed you know what isss in store for us…”

“AND YOU ARE DAMMED R-R-R-IGHT ABOUT WHAT I’LL D-D-DO TO YOU IDIOTS WHEN YOU G-G-GET BACK!”

The two brothers froze in fear as they slowly turned to the sound of the angry voice and looked down the alley way, there hovering was a small drone and producing a hologram, a hologram of Dr Brio.

“D-D-D-Doctor Brio” Joe stuttered “H-How did y-you find us?”

“Well, after Crash collected five more crystals for that bastard Cortex I figured you two idiots had failed. So I used my DNA tracker to locate you and found you in a different dimension, I figured you two had managed to break my device so I created another one and using your location as the portals source sent my drone to come and find out where you two were”

“I-If you let me explain Doctor…” Joe started before being interrupted.

“EXPLAIN! THERES N-N-NOTHING TO E-EXPLAIN” The drone produced a small laser gun that began to hum “I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU TO I-IDIOTS-“

“WE CAN GET YOU MORE GEMSSSS, POWERFUL ONES!” Joe burst out as he held up his hands in fear. “This world has lotsss of magical gems and we can get them for you without any problems or troubles, pleassse just don’t kill usss!”

There was a deathly silence as Joe scrunched his eyes tight preparing for the worst, however nothing happened and he opened his eyes to see Moe his eyes closed cowering behind his own arms and turned his gaze to the hologram. Brio was in deep thought as he muttered to himself.

“If what you say is true….why should I trust you to get me these gems, why shouldn’t I just march my robot army through?"

Joe tried to think of an answer for him, it was true the Doctor had every reason to not let them do the job but at the same time he didn’t want any harm to happen to the ponies. As much as he hated them and their irritatingly happy ways, he couldn’t help but feel that they were innocent and had no reason for being dragged into potential war between Brio’s robotic armies and whatever consisted of the world’s military.

“Becaussse…if you sent them through you’d start a war with the army that protects this world and it be a lot more easssier if you let usss do it…were slowly gaining their trust anyway asss it isss” Joe said biting his lip waiting for the reply. Brio paused for a moment and began muttering to himself once more nodding his head as he looked left to right mulling out his options.

“Very well….you have a point, I won’t send my army through…yet. You have three days to get my gems and if you don’t, I’ll kill you both and take them by force!”

The drone retracted the hologram and it zipped off out of the alleyway, Joe let out a long sigh of relief as he fell to the ground on his backside resting his hand to his head. Moe slowly stood up and chuckled softly turning his head to his brother with a smile on his face.

“You do care about them….don’t you Joe”

“No I don’t, I jusssst…don’t think it’s fair for them to get dragged into a war…”

Joe hoped Moe hadn’t caught his bluff, as much as he was now regretting thinking it, part of him did care for the inhabitants and it was true that he didn’t want them to come to harm, well maybe not too much harm but not to the point of them being killed, he knew Brio would be merciless in his quest to get the gems, Joe sighed again. Moe didn’t reply smiling to himself contented with the answer and seeing through the bluff as he helped his brother to his feet, Joe thanked him before sighing once more.

“Come on Moe…we need to figure out what the hell were going to do….”