//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 (Starting the fire) // Story: Madness Combat, Ponies with Improbabilities // by Metei //------------------------------// “You have not experienced true misery. I have watched everyone close to me die, my home ravaged by a plague and I have been hunted down. So tell me, what makes you think that your life is shit just because you couldn’t get into your fucking dream job?” Metei glared at the surprised Rainbow Dash, surprised that she was complaining that she didn’t get into the Wonderbolts and stated that her life was over, when the pony in front of her had experienced more pain and suffering than anypony else. “Not so responsive are we? Good I need you to be quiet then” Black flames took over his snow white mane and covered his back, his red eyes shining brightly through his glasses, his mouth turning upwards and revealing razor sharp teeth in a manic grin. All was silent except for a struggled scream. The welcome party went off with a great start. Metei met a few pones, conversed with them and made a few friends. Everything was great until Metei stepped out of the store. Pinkie watched him leave with great concern, wondering what happened to him that caused him to leave. Pinkie followed in his wake and exited the party. Metei was sitting down on his hindquarters looking up at the stars. Pinkie sat next to him. “What are you doing out here by yourself?” Metei looked at Pinkie who was looking back with worry. “Don’t worry Pinkie. It’s just that I don’t feel comfortable in there. I mean I’ve never been to a party before and in there just made me feel a bit claustrophobic” Pinkie giggled at him, relaxing the both of them. Pinkie relaxed because he didn’t leave because it was a bad party and Metei relaxed since he noticed that Pinkie wasn’t going to laugh at his problem. “Come on let’s go back to the party. They’re probably wondering where the host and guest of honour is” Pinkie took Metei’s hoof and led them inside. A pony looked out at the city on top of a building, seeing any signs of the two that imprisoned him. Metei was ecstatic to see the look on the faces of the two princesses when they see that he had escaped from his cage. Seeing no sign of any of them, he sighed in disappointment. Cracking his neck, he decided to enact phase one of his plans. Metei teleported to the castle exterior and summoned some C4, placing them in strategic places around Canterlot for his plans. While he was busy with setting up, he did not notice somepony watching him from the shadows. Artemis was taking note as to what the grey pony was doing. He had already seen the brawl with the guards at Ponyville square and watched him mercilessly murder the two guards. “What are you planning?” Artemis whispered softly as he had always when he was on recon missions. Turning his back to go back to the mountains to tell the high council of what is happening; he did not expect to see that Metei was looking at him with the wild grin on his face. Artemis was scared out of his mind, seeing that he had been caught by the one he was watching. Metei leaned in so his muzzle was next to Artemis’s ear. “Tell your masters that war is on the way against your kind” Artemis was pissed off, thinking that the pony in front of him was declaring war against the griffons. “No ponies can take on the griffons” “Who said it was ponies that were going against you?” This left Artemis confused as to what Metei meant. Metei was impatient with the griffon, so he beat the crap out of him and sent him on his way. “This will be the ember that will start the fire” Griffon’s were strong fliers, even stronger than pegasi, however when one is brutally beat by a crazed pony, then one was to have trouble flying. Artemis did not reach the Nest until six hours later, surprising the guards who thought he would arrive at a much sooner time. Walking through the grand hall in the council house, Artemis was still amazed from the design of the building. All griffon buildings were simple and plain; however such design did not go into the council house. The ceiling was covered with intricate designs and paintings that would have made Michelangelo proud. Griffon’s were not known for their panting skills, so when one paints beautifully, than they would have been famous and rich. The hallways were made from marble as was the pillars holding up the ceiling. The council house resembled to some churches in Rome, mostly the Vatican. Passing through the ornate doors, Artemis bowed down in front of the elders. “Rise Artemis, tell us about the recon... And those wounds” Artemis looked at his legs, which were covered in slashes while his feathers were torn off. “The mission went well, except for the part of me being found out” The elders were surprised that out of all their spies, that Artemis was the one that was discovered. “Is that how you got those wounds?” “Yes. Not only that but I have a message. The pony said that he would wage war against us” The elders laughed at the thought just like Artemis had. “Ponies thinking that they can take us on, ahahaha, how rich” “He said that ponies were not going to be in the war” The elders stopped laughing and looked at Artemis, demanding an answer. “That was what he had said. He said that ponies were not the one to be fighting against us” The elders were left confused as to what the message meant. “Alright, you are dismissed Artemis, rest up and heal, we will call for you when we need you” Artemis put an arm across his chest, reciting the old saying known only to the elites. “We rule the skies and hunt in the night” The elders did the same. “For we shall rule the kingdom in the new age” Artemis walked out of the house and took flight to the hospital. All the ponies left Sugarcube Corners, since partying till your drunk took a toll on the ponies. All ponies left until there was only Metei and Pinkie left. “I should get going, since it’s really late” Pinkie stopped him from walking out the door by grabbing his hoof. “Wait, you don’t have anywhere to sleep do you?” Metei shook his head. “Well then stay with me” “Are you sure?” “Of course” Metei made his way upstairs where he found Pinkie’s room, taking the couch and resting there. Pinkie looked at the tired Metei and smiled, making her way to the bed after turning out the lights. “Good night Metei” Metei mumbled since his muzzle was blocked by the couch. “Good night Pinkie” Both had slept easy that night.