//------------------------------// // My What Big Teeth You Have... // Story: What the Sun Can't See // by FFFX //------------------------------// What the Sun Can't See – Chapter 4: My, What Big Teeth You Have... – The three tiny mares tore through the bramble patches as they sought to escape the six wooden wolves that chased them, the fillies packs clanking with each stride as the trio ducked under the low hanging branches, the snap of wood erupting from behind as the timberwolves smashed it to pieces. “Head for Zecoras!” Applebloom shouted, angling to the left as she followed her own advice, her legs and back aching already from the heavy pack and chase, Scootaloo keeping pace, but Sweetie Belle was beginning to fall behind, even as she carried the lightest pack. Sweat poured down Sweetie Belle's face as she struggled to keep up with the two more athletic members of the Crusaders, the hot, fetid breath of the wolves sweeping across her backside as she pressed on, fear driving desperate energy into her limbs as she strove to keep ahead of the howling monsters behind. Scootaloo's shout reached her as she looked ahead, Applebloom's teeth tightly gripping a large branch, her eyes narrowed as she counted the distance. Sweetie Belle ducked, the branch whistling over her as a high pitched yelp and the snap of wood cracked the air behind her. Without slowing she raced past the other two fillies, though their hoof-falls were close behind as the trio worked their way through the brush again, the wolves keeping a bit more distance between themselves and their prey, wary of another oak branch to the nose. “Which way?!” Scootaloo shouted, eyes wide as she sought a landmark of any sort in the dim forest, only to burst out of the brush to find herself facing a concave of high rock, a thin waterfall streaming down its center. “Not this way!” She shouted, turning to angle towards the lowpoint of the wall, catching sight of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle shooting out of the forest as well, the wolves snapping at their heels only seconds behind. With seemingly supernatural precision, the wolves spread out to encompass the escape routes, one cutting the hesitant Scootaloo off. As one the wolves began to advance, snapping and snarling at the fillies as they drove the girls back to the rock wall, the air fouled by their breath as they slowly closed the trap, still wary of the lashing hooves of the ponies. All three faced the timberwolves as they backed away, limbs shivering from the mix of fear and the full gallop, until they pressed against the rock face. Scootaloo ducked low, tears gathering in her eyes as she desperately flapped her flightless wings, moving a few sticks with the downdraft, and nothing more. Applebloom moved in front of her friends, instinct whispering in her ear as she lowered her head, spreading her legs to brace against the coming attacks. “G-get out of here!” She squeaked out, her body trembling as the wolves advanced. “I’ll hold them off while you climb!” Sweetie Belle’s horn burst into light as she moved to stand besides Applebloom. “No way! The Cutie Mark Crusaders never leave a mare behind!” From above and behind them, Scootaloo heard a voice, one that tickled her memory of storms and night.. “Aaaaaand...action.” A howl ripped the air above them, blazing green fire bursting out over the hilltop as a figure posed at its peak, highlighted by the eldritch flames glow as its voice rumbled through the fillies bones. “Have no fear! Howls-With-Laughter is here!” The three fillies looked up at his arrival, the timberwolves snarls reaching his ears as Howls grinned back at the wooden wolves. “Huh. Wood spirits chasing after small fry? Must be pretty low ranking ones to take such desperate action. How about you leav-” He stopped, the wolves already fleeing at the sight of the emerald flames that surrounded him. “Hey!” He shouted at their retreating backs. “Get back here! I didn’t finish my badass entrance!” The brush shivered as the timberwolves vanished into it, leaving Howls alone with the three fillies, though he caught the rushing hoofbeats of the slower mares coming closer. The three fillies stared up at Howls, eyes wide. “Whoa..” They breathed out in unison, their gaze’s inexorably falling to the teeth that were on full display as he smiled at them, slight shivers beginning to run down their spines. So when Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy burst into the clearing with the snap of wood, the rustle of brush and shouting, Sweetie Belle reacted. Twilight’s shout of “Howls! Why did you run off?” was cut short by a flash of light magenta energy that slammed into Howls side, hurling him like a frisbee before Twilight’s eyes. As she watched him sail through the air, only to slam hard into the upper branches of a tree, Twilights next words were, perhaps not her best. “Howls! Why are you in a tree?” His dull, pained reply of “Oww...” barely reached the ponies below as Rarity wrapped Sweetie Belle in a tight hug, her voice near panicked as she tightened her grip. “Sweetie Belle! Whatever possessed you to enter the Everfree?” As one the CMC flipped up their saddlebags and pulled out a pickaxe. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, Dinosaur Hunters!” From above and behind, Howls shouted “How is that even a thing?!” Rolling her eyes as she made her way to the tree he was stuck in, Twilight called up “Howls? Can you get down without help?” “Yeah, I’ll be okay, just give me a minute.” His voice sounded a bit rough, but Twilight simply shrugged, glancing at Fluttershy, a small jerk of her head up to the tree. Fluttershy nodded as her wings spread, the soft wingbeats carrying her up to the hole in the canopy. “Mr. H-howls? Are you alright?” She asked, one hoof reaching out to move the foliage. There was a snap from within its darkened confines as he said “Oh shi-” before a shape tumbled down from the branches, a series of sharp cracks following as he fell down, leaves shaken loose by his rapid descent, punctuated by the dull thud of his landing face first into the dirt, his body slowly falling to the side. “I hate this world.” He mumbled as he pushed upright. “So...can someone tell me what just hit me? Felt kinda like when you smashed me through a wall.” He said as he glared at Twilight. “Just less dump truck and more S.U.V.” “You smashed him through a wall?” Fluttershy asked as she landed between the two, her eyes wide as she stared at Twilight. “Why would you do that?” Twilight at least had the decency to look guilty. “It was an accident, I just panicked when I woke up and saw him in the room...and I kinda blew him through the wall.” A wince at Fluttershy gaping mouth and Twilight elaborated further in shame. “From the third story.” “Are you alright?!” Fluttershy gasped out to Howls, one hoof covering her mouth, her wings flaring slightly. “I know Twilight is a really powerful unicorn, so her hitting you must have hurt a lot! I have some herbs at home I can give you to ease the pain.” Waving a paw as he shook his head, Howls replied “Nah, don’t worry about it. I already healed the damage.” Looking to the the tiny fillies, he asked “And again, what hit me?” “Sweetie Belle, the white and purple one. She’s Raritys younger sister.” Twilight replied suddenly sounding pensive at the concept. “I’m a bit surprised actually.” “Me too!” Sweetie Belle shouted. “I can barely make sparks!” “Damn. You unicorns pack a wallop, ya know that?” The wolf brought up a paw to rub his chin and realized that if that kind of magical blast was a Unicorn’s fight or flight instinct then he could see how they survived to be sentient. The trio turned to look at Rarity as she admonished the fillies. “Honestly girls! The Everfee forest is not a place for mares of any age! It’s dangerous, filthy, and positively gruesome!” “Aww! But sis, how else are we supposed to know what our cutie marks are?!” Sweetie Belle replied, her bottom lip trembling as she met Rarity’s gaze. “And besides! You're here now, so its fine!” Applebloom and Scootaloo nodded in agreement, the red cloaks flapping with their movement. Before Rarity could respond, Howls spoke up. “Pardon, but what is a cutie mark anyway?” Twilight replied quickly as she too recognized the opportunity to cut short the tirade. “Cutie marks are a mark denoting our special talent. Think of it as a sort of... destined pre-disposition for an activity. Typically a pony will find a way to make a career out of it. For me,” She pointed at her flank and the star emblazoned upon it. “It represents my talent in magic, and my affinity for the arcane arts. They can look like just about anything, but you know what your special talent is because the mark appears when you realize that the activity is your special talent to begin with.” Howls nodded, just saying “Huh. Interesting.” Like some kind of spirit mark maybe. Not the strangest thing I have heard today. “Anyway, what now?” Nodding, Twilight looked to Rarity. “Would you take the girls back? I’ll take Howls and Fluttershy to see Zecora.” Rarity’s reply was drowned out by the fillies gasps of surprise. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, Alchemists!” Applebloom ran up to Twilight, wide eyes shimmering as she met her gaze. “Please Twilight? We just wanna see if alchemy is our special talent!” Rubbing her temple, Rarity glanced towards the dark forest. The dark, timberwolf filled forest... “I hate to be a bother, but perhaps it would be a good idea for us all to stay together. The Everfree is not a place I would like cross alone. Zecora’s home is not far in any case, so why not bring them along?” Howls shrugged as he rolled his left shoulder, the blast from Sweetie Belle leaving behind a ache in the muscle. “I don’t see a problem with it. They are here, we’re here, might as well stick together.” An annoyed sigh from Twilight later and they were off, Twilight leading the way, Howls in the rear, and the rest in the middle, though the CMC continually glanced over their shoulders at the wolf at their backs. Finally Applebloom whispered to the girls: “What’s wrong with ya all? Dontcha wanna ask him somethin’?” Sweetie Belle shook her head, her mane swishing back and forth in its abundant curls. “No. I just...I just don’t want to, alright?” “Alright, what about you Scoots?” Scootaloo grinned and waved a hoof, her eyes closed as she held her head up high. “Nah, things are kinda tense right now, might as well wait till everythings calmed down a bit.” And I don’t want to get too close to him... Applebloom eyed her friends, knowing something more was going on between them. I can’t really force them to talk to him. I just wanna know what’s wrong. Maybe talkin’ to the wolf will clear things up. Dropping back to walk by his side, Applebloom started up the conversation. “Hi! I’m Applebloom, we met a few days ago at mah house. Do ya remember?” Staring at her, his ears turning to and fro as he did so, Howls nodded, smiling in return. “Yeah, I remember you, you were the only one who didn’t freak out on me at first sight.” “Thats cuz yer blade was so cool! All sparkles and green flames!” She exclaimed, her eyes now freely wandering his body, searching for the runed blade. “Where is it anyway?” “Actually I always have him with me, just put away so I can summon him whenever I want.” He said as he glanced up at the obviously listening mares. “He’s magic, and really old, so I don’t know all the details about his origins, but Myst is very potent.” Applebloom tilted her head to the side, one eyebrow rising. “Is that its name, Myst?” “Nickname actually.” He replied a bit absently as he stepped over a odd piece of ground, eyeing it. That looks like a trapdoor spider’s burrow cap...but its the size of a dinner plate. Fuuuuuuuuck. “His full name is Mystmorning Moonlight, though he has other names and titles as well.” “Like what?” She asked, all ears as she listened. Tapping his jaw for a moment before resuming his trek, Howls let his voice drop into what his pack always called his ‘bard tone’, a deeper, slightly more melodic voice that came from deep in the chest to carry his words far afield. “In the days before time was counted, Mystmorning Moonlight was forged, so named for the essence of dawn’s last shards of moonlight filtered through the mists of the highlands, and the metal of starlight and moonglow under which he was born. Down through the ages he passed, in fire and fury from one hand to the next, always bringing forth the light of hope to those in need.” “As for his names...well... That is a tale in and of itself. One of the oldest perhaps is Claíomh Solais, the Sword of Light, wielded by the Tuatha Nuada Airgetlám, the Silver Arm against the nightmarish Fir Bolg. The Fair Folk of my world whisper that if such a thing were true, then I would be holding a blade that has not once failed to slay a single foe it was drawn against, and that shines like a fragment of the sun itself. He has also been known as Skofnung, a blade unparalleled, wielded by the Danish King Hrólfr Kraki, and is said to contain the spirits of his twelve berserker bodyguards. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, should Hrólfr have been a Garou, and should he have received the sword from the Fair Folk... well... to quote Mystmorning Moonlight himself, 'that would be telling.'” “He talks to ya? Like you and I are?” “Kinda... its more like he sends feelings, or perhaps the idea of a feeling, wrapped in thought.” He replied as his head tilted to the side, his ears twitching. “Sorry, it’s kinda complex, yet at the same time very simple.” Applebloom just stared at him as she worked out what he meant. “Soooo... ya don’t know yerself?” Howls nodded twice, grinning. “Pretty much!” Applebloom grinned in return, her steps quickening as she made for her fellow fillies, though not before calling back over her shoulder “Yer silly, but I like ya! Come by the farm sometime, okay?” “Sure thing little lady.” He replied with a dip of his head, watching the trio huddle closer to talk more privately. The group gradually made their way through the thick foliage to Zecora’s home, its warm lights inviting them inside. Twilight knocked on the door as she said “Zecora? Its Twilight, and I brought some friends to talk to you.” From within came Zecora’s voice, a strange accent to Howls ears as they entered. “Welcome one and all, make yourself at home within my walls.” Zecora looked up from her desk to the group, her eyes and smile soft with affection. “It is good to see you all safe and sound, tell me, what brings you to my ground?” Her eyes locked onto Howls then, her head tilting slightly to the side as she spoke up once more. “A worg enters my domain, yet refrains from devouring my remains?” Before Howls could speak up and likely say something regrettable, Twilight said “He’s not actually a worg, but that's a long story. He and Fluttershy have a similar condition, and I was hoping you might have an idea I didn’t.” Placing the various herbs back into their containers, Zecroa approached the pair with a critical air as her gaze swept over them for a moment before she nodded. "I can see there is something lost that you must find, before it begins to take a toll on your mind." “You mean our shadows, right?” Howls asked as he let his rear end settle on the floor. “If we don’t get them back, we lose our minds?” “Worse still, a shell you will be, as your soul is eaten by he who tore your shadows free... although perhaps not so literally.” She replied, her voice heavy as she slowly shook her head. “No potion or brew will do, to solve this requires something from you.” As he listened, Howls ears were twitching back and forth as his tail lay unmoving. She’s still talking in rhyme. Great. His eyes glanced at the other ponies as his right paw curled in and out, leaving tiny marks in the wooden floor. Obviously this is how she always talks as they are not put off by it, but you would think she would cut the crap when someone’s shadow has been stolen. “So what happens if we find and kill this Erebus guy who stole them? Do we get them back?” Turning to the bookcase as she pulled out another tome, she replied, “The shadow king's fall will not be a cure all. Truth of heart must mend what was torn apart.” Cracking it open, she flipped the pages till she came upon what she sought. Running the edge of her hoof along the line, she recited, in her own way of course, “Terrors of the night will prey upon you with all their might, till the waking world will be an equal fright.” Howls lips drew into a tight, thin line. “We won't be able to sleep at all, and eventually we’ll start hallucinating?” A hallucinating Garou was not something anyone deserved to deal with. Zecora nodded as she closed the book, glancing over to the shadowless pseudo-worg, her eyes soft. “When lack of rest reaches a crest, a threat to others you will possess.” Rarity glanced at Howls as she slid slightly closer to Sweetie Belle. “H-how long might that be, if I may be so bold as to ask?” She said, the memory of Howls peeling back his lips to reveal his fangs flashing across her mind. Howls spoke up then as he held up a paw, curling the toes down as he did some mental calculations. “Well... the longest I ever went without sleep was a week, and things got weird before that was done, but to be perfectly frank? I’m up most of the night anyway, and I just take power naps throughout the day to get my eight hours. What about you Fluttershy?” It was about then that everyone noticed that Fluttershy was gone, the door swaying slightly in the breeze. “Oh. Well shit.” Twilight shot out the door, shouting for Fluttershy as she did so, Rarity glancing at Zecroa as she said “Please watch the girls for a moment!” as she too dashed outside. Howls just arched an eyebrow at the ladies actions, snorting as he looked to the foursome of mares that remained inside, only to jerk slightly at the looks he was getting from them. “What?” He asked as he met Zecora’s gaze, ignoring the tiny fillies. “It’s not like they are in any danger...right?” Zecora shook her head as she replied, her hoof pointing to the open door. “A friend is in need, go do a good deed.” Rolling his eyes as he walked out the door, sniffing the air to catch the mares scents. Twilight I think, since nothing else in this forest probably smells that much like parchment and fresh ink. Anyway, Rarity is definitely the perfume trail. I am willing to bet the one that almost blends in with the local fauna is Fluttershy. Twilight and Rarity had taken off in opposing directions, perhaps making educated guesses as to where she might have tried to go, not knowing that Fluttershy had not bothered to turn or think about her destination, simply running headlong into the brush. Shrugging his shoulders as he ambled into the forest after her, Howls took his time as he followed her trail, since her scent was rather hard to distinguish from the local herbs and wild life. That mare must run a zoo. The broken bush branch, the faint hoofmarks in the earth, all in addition to the trail of scent that she left behind, a scent he was beginning to put his finger on as a kind of herbal shampoo under a layer of rabbits and birds. Catching up to her took about five minutes of walking, which led him to an open meadow of knee high grass. In the middle was a rather large group of creatures, ranging from a small group of deer, a lone bear, dozens of birds from several different species, and what caught his attention the most was the manticore that towered over them all, its scorpion tail curled over it’s back as it watched from the far side of the group. Every eye had locked onto him as soon as he had entered the clearing, the tuft of pink hair and small bit of yellow fur in the midst of the strange herd clueing Howls to Fluttershy’s location. What is she, Snow White? Keeping one eye on the manticore as it stared right back at him, Howls advanced on the group with a determined air, stopping just outside the deer’s ranks, his lips pulling back as he tried to give them a reassuring smile. When the ones directly in front of him backed up rather quickly, eyes wide with fear, Howls rolled his eyes once more as he spoke up. “Fluttershy? It’s me, Howls. Can we talk, please?” “Go away! I-I don’t want to!” Came the choked reply, sniffles following soon after as she huddled deeper into the warmth of the surrounding creatures. He took a single step forward, and the creatures moved closer together, fear wafting from them like a fog, but never the less they stood in his way more determined than ever, even with shaking limbs and terror in their eyes, they stood between him and Fluttershy at her command. Quirking an eyebrow, Howls settled down onto his stomach and waited, head upon his paws as he listened for Fluttershy to speak. He had never seen a Garou so in tune with nature, let alone a person or pony. It was, in some way, humbling. For a long while the only sounds were of Fluttershy and the faint breathing of the animals, then at last she began to speak, her words broken by the faint sobs that still tried to silence her. “Do you know what it's like to be picked on and made fun of because everypony thinks you're weaker than them? They hurt you so much because they don't get it, they don’t want to get it, and they don’t care.” A faint note of anger crept into her voice as memories began to surface, a shudder running down her spine, the spark of anger flaring as she continued. “Hurting ponies is easy. It's so easy it's hard to stop doing it. They don't know how strong somepony has to be... to ignore all that pain... to not hurt them back... to smile and want them to stop hating so they'll be happy. I'm afraid... not of them... of what I might do if they don't stop pushing.” She looked to him then, her eyes narrow through the tears that ran down her cheeks. “I'm scared. Scared if what Zecora said happens... it'll wear me down, and I won't be able to stop myself.” Silence hung between them as Howls looked to the dirt, one toe idly scratching at it as he sought the right words. He met her gaze, a soft, sad smile upon his lips as he spoke. “In my chest beats a inferno of rage and violence. You can feel it in the air, you can sense it in my words and see it in my eyes, can't you?” She nodded once, sniffling as she waited for him to continue. “So when I say that I know that feeling, that I know it as intimately as breathing, as perfectly as my own heartbeat, you know I am speaking the truth. I am surrounded by people that I care for, people that I love and would give my life to protect.” A chill grew in his words as he continued, his eyes once more falling to the earth. “And I know that if I lose control...if I let that maelstrom of anger and murder take hold, then they will die. Hurting people is as you said, it is easy, and it takes strength to hold it back, strength that cannot be taught or bought.” A small grin slipped across his features as he glanced up to her. “You’re stronger than me, little pony. You have so much inner strength to hold back all that pain and still want to help. You're stronger than me for having the same wounds, yet all you want to do is heal others. Do not fear yourself Fluttershy, and do not fear your might.” He stood up and advanced, the animals parting for him at last as he walked up to her, a paw held out before her. “I’ll make you a deal Fluttershy. If you try to hurt somepony, I will stop you.” She jerked her head up to look at him, eyes wide. “You’ll stop me?” He nodded, still holding out his paw. “Aye little one. Me, and all your friends. We’ll keep you safe, and everyone else along with it.” She stared at him for a long moment before wiping away the tears and taking his paw to stand up. She held it as he tried to pull away, a question in his gaze. She spoke then, so soft he had to lean in to hear it. “And if you try to hurt somepony, I’ll do the same for you. My friends and I will keep you safe too.” He smiled at that, part of him doubted she would succeed, but a small part of him held hope that her unique strength would carry through the task, his eyes glowed just a shade brighter as he gently bumped her with his muzzle. “Thanks Fluttershy. Think you’re ready to head back to your friends?” She nodded and moved past him to speak to the collection of animals all around. “Thank you all for coming.” She smiled at them, her voice warm as she looked upon them all. “I’m okay now, and my other friends will be arriving soon. Go back home to your families, and remember to come to me if you or another is sick or hurt.” The manticore growled several times, his eyes having never left Howls. Fluttershy turned to meet the Manticores gaze, her own gaze soft. “No, he is a friend as well. I’ll be alright alo-” In the distance came the sound of a tree trunk crashing to earth, a echoing roar reverberating through the air as more and more crashes were heard, a series of heavy thuds impacting the ground that signaled the sign of something massive trampling towards them. The animals scattered, only the manticore staying, both it and Howls sniffing the air, trying to catch the scent of what was coming. “W-what is it?” Fluttershy asked as she stared towards the noise. “Can’t tell. It’s downwind of us, no scent to be found.” He replied, glancing sideways at Fluttershy. “But it’s big, and angry. You should leave.” “But what if it’s just a hurt? I have to help.” She replied, already walking towards the disturbance, her gait quick and sure. “Besides,” She glanced over her shoulder to Howls. “I have you here to protect me, don't I?” Hanging his head as he followed after her, Howls glanced behind at the manticore that stayed where it was, watching still. Damn animal has more sense then this girl. Still, she has a point. I’m way scarier than anything else in these woods. It was then that the creature burst from the treeline, it’s three heads snapping back and forth as bloody spittle flew from their snarling jaws. In the lengthening shadows of the day, Cerberus howled out a pain-filled cry, and moved towards the trio before him, each step shaking the earth. Howls recognized the beast by its major distinguishing traits, but was more than horrified by how different it was, and if he did not know better he would have assumed they were different creatures altogether. Cerberus’s looked bulkier, his body swelled out in strange places under his skin, cancerous welts that hardened like chitin, turning flesh to armor, twisting muscle into padding. The three heads came low and roared, their mouths arrayed with four lines of teeth in an overt display of predatory overkill. The beast braced itself for a charge and Howls watched as bony spurs burst from its spine like a ridge of dragon scales, and the monster’s ribcage swelled with a soft white glow deep in its heart. “I was wrong!” Howls shouted at the sight of the giant demon dog. “That's way scarier than me!” He dashed in front of Fluttershy even as his every instinct screamed terror into his waking mind, his body lowered to the ground as he growled at the giant dog. “We should leave! Right now!” he snarled out as Cerberus advanced. “No, it’s alright.” Fluttershy replied, her wings carrying her over Howls and towards Cerberus, her eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s okay, no one's going to hurt you here.” She said, voice smooth and soft. All six of Cerberus’s bloodshot eyes locked onto Fluttershy as she drew closer, their mouths hanging open as his tail wagged back and forth, his black fur twitching as the muscles beneath tightened in anticipation. Howls shouted “Get back!” A heartbeat before Cerberus’s right paw flashed up and struck Fluttershy across the side, his claws raking through her wing and ribs, blood spraying as it tore into her flesh and hurled her across the glen, her sudden flight stopped only as she smashed into a tree trunk, branches snapping under her impact upon the wood. Her pained scream was drowned out by Cerberus rearing back, all three heads roaring out as he charged the injured Pegasi. His paws tossed up great clods of dirt as his heads bayed for blood. His long strides covered the distance quickly, so quickly Cerberus was halfway to Fluttershy when he roared out in pain, his rightmost head twisting around to glare at the wolf, doubled in size and power that had torn out a relatively tiny chunk of his calf. Howls danced back to avoid Cerberus’s retaliatory kick, his own growl reaching the ears of the giant canine. Cerberus turned to face Howls fully, all three heads watching him as the manticore moved behind it, gently lifting Fluttershy in its maw and carrying her to the far side of the field, where it crouched over her protectively. Cerberus sucked in a lungful of air as he once more unleashed a roar from its triple throats, its fetid breath washing over Howls as he watched the beast. Gaia, what happened?! He stinks of the Wyrm! The two must have escaped somehow and... His eyes narrowed as he began to walk to the left, low to the ground as Cerberus turned to follow him, all eyes watching for his movements. Only one thing to do now... He glanced over to Fluttershy, nodding to himself as he did so. So when a purple light flashed in the sky, Howls could feel his stomach sink, and was proven right when another flash flared in the middle of the glen, Twilight appearing from its light. “What's going on-” She stopped when she recognized Cerberus, her eyes widening. “C-cerberus!? What is he doing here? Howls! What's going on!?” “Behind you! Fluttershy!” He shouted back as he shot forward to snap at Cerberus’s exposed neck when he had looked to Twilight’s entrance. Cerberus pulled up to avoid Howls snapping fangs, his middle head striking snake quick back at the much smaller wolf-beast. Twilight gasped as the middle head descended, far quicker than she had thought possible, her horn beginning to glow as magic flowed into it, but that vanished as Howls just blurred, his entire body moving so fast he almost vanished from her sight as he dove under Cerberus’s belly and latched onto his inner thigh, his whole body snapping side to side as he tore off another chunk of Cerberus’s hide. Once more he moved too quickly for words, escaping Cerberus’s attempt to crush him and spat out a hunk of flesh. Damn! His hide is like steel! I can barely get through it, and I’m just pissing him off at this rate! Still... He chanced a glance at Twilight as she hurried to Fluttershy’s side, a gasp slipping from her lips at the sight of both the blood and the protective manticore. Gotta keep his attention on me. They don’t heal like I do. And the sooner they leave the sooner I can end this. “Hey doggy!” He shouted at Cerberus, quickly moving back in front of the dog to regain his attention. “Come on puppy, don’t tell me you want to go play fetch with the ponies!” Once he was sure Cerberus was fixed on him, Howls shouted back over his shoulder. “Damn it Twilight! Grab her and get out of here, now!” The sound of rushing air caught his ears a heartbeat before Cerberus’s clawed paw would have gouged out his side, giving Howls the half-second needed to duck under the swipe. Following the curve of the limb and using it to shadow his movements, Howls leaped once more, his fangs sinking into the creature's chest, the white glow pulsating in tune with Cerberus’s heartbeat. Releasing his bite as he dodged Cerberus’s snatching jaws, Howls jumped back under the trio of heads, emerald fire flashing across his maw as he leaped forward, twisting sideways to drive the six foot blade into the chest, the enchanted blade piercing through with ease, Howls lips peeling back in victory. Or at least until a white fire poured out of the wound, running like lava as it washed over Howls, high-pitched yips of pain filling the glen as the fire burned it’s way across his body, his flesh and fur boiling away to reveal the muscles beneath. Cerberus roared out in pain as his head snapped down to catch Howls tail in his jaws, the pain forcing another yelp from Howls as he was hurled to the far side of the meadow, dirt and grass flying as he rolled with the impact, his paws digging into the earth to control his tumble. Snarling as he once more looked to Twilight, Howls groaned as he saw Rarity, the fillies and Zecroa had arrived, obviously having heard the multiple roars from the twenty foot tall dog before them. His body was already mostly healed, the skin rippling over the wounds, fur sprouting back into place as his regeneration pushed back the pain. “Will you all get the fuck out of here already?!” He screamed at them, what little patience he had vanishing at last. Heavy footfalls brought him back to the issue at hand as Cerberus rapidly closed towards him. Baring his teeth, Howls raced forward to meet the charge. Twilight and Rarity’s hooves were coated in blood as they pressed them onto Fluttershy’s wounds, Zecora pulling bottles from her saddlebags, pouring them into one another with a feverish intensity as Applebloom watched with wide eyes, torn between the mares working to staunch the bleeding, and the chaotic battle that was taking place only a few yards away, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo covering their eyes as something tugged at their minds, memories screaming out gibberish at just a glimpse of Howls. Applebloom watched the two duel, the blood splattering across the ground, the sickly sweet scent of flesh torn apart, the sharp clack of teeth, the sound of their snarls, barks and growls as they prowled around each other. To her eyes, their battle was almost entirely a blur, their motions faster than she had ever seen anypony move. Howls was faster, but only by a hair, always dodging away at the last second as Cerberus snapped and clawed at the speedy Garou, and Howls bit off small chunks of Cerberus, but it only seemed to irritate the giant dog all the more. In all honesty, Applebloom had no clear idea of what was happening, unable to catch up with their full speed as Howls ducked and dodged through Cerberus’s attacks, always zipping about to harry the larger monster. Every few seconds he would leap away to pace left or right of Cerberus, as though he had to catch his breath, yet he never looked to be breathing hard. The two canines were breathing evenly, no gasps for air or shuddering lungfuls, the two appeared none the worse for wear, even as the blood dripped from Howls jaws and ran in rivulets from Cerberus’s wounds. In the span of a heartbeat Howls charged back in, the battle once more becoming a vague blur of shapes and sounds to her eyes, but then... A high-pitched yelp sounded from the midst as Cerberus’s left head caught Howls back leg, his middle head crushing down onto his midsection, blood spurting from between his jaws as the rightmost head gripped one of Howls forelegs, both left and right heads pulling to either side as the middle head pulled up. Everypony there could see what Cerberus intended, even ignorant as they were of violence. “Mister Howls!” Applebloom shouted, shivers running up and down her tiny frame as she watched the battle reach its climax. I gotta do somethin! He’s gonna...he’s gonna die! Forcing the fear to the back of her mind, Applebloom’s hooves tore into the earth as she shot forward. Howls barely held back his screams as his limbs were slowly being yanked from their sockets, only his supernaturally toughened body allowing him to hold on as long as he had. Fuckfuckfuck! Gotta do something, or I’ll seriously going to die! It was then that Cerberus drove his heads into the earth, smashing Howls and driving his fangs deeper into the worgs body, a frustrated growl rolling from his chest as he struggled to dig them into the small wolf’s torso. Howls pushed at Cerberus’s face with his free leg, but might as well have tried to move a mountain for all the good it did him. Cerberus watched Howls as he struggled, his eyes bloodshot and wild, and an idea sparked in Howls mind. Here’s hoping they don’t see this! Focusing all his concentration upon his free arm, Howls felt the quicksilver fire race through his veins, drowning out the pain of his wounds, and transforming his body, a flash of emerald fire bursting into light... Applebloom, at the same instant, kicked Cerberus at the base of his knee, her legs barely reaching the joint as she hit, but a meaty thud filled her ears when she struck. “Let him GO!” She shouted, only to gasp as the leg snapped back, passing so close by her that the wind of its passage whipped her mane up, Cerberus’s torso turning to see what had hit him. Or rather, he would have, if Howls had not struck at that moment of distraction. Cerberus screamed, Howls landing hard on his side, the holes from Cerberus’s fangs already closing before Applebloom’s eyes. Looking up, Applebloom saw what had occurred, for Mystmorning Moonlight was buried deep into Cerberus’s eye, flames already charring the skin black as the head dropped low, blood pouring from its ruined eye socket. Cerberus backed away, its two remaining heads wavering all around as he struggled to adjust to the loss a head, already the blood loss taking its toll as its lifeblood ran in a steady river down its shattered skull. A weak growl emerged from its maws as Cerberus advanced towards Howls, each unsteady step barely holding up as his knees began to collapse. With a final pained cry Cerberus, guardian of the Tartarus gate, fell to earth, the red blood already pooling beneath his body as his massive heart pumped it out. “I..is it over?” Twilight spoke up from where she and the other mares were watching, Zecora keeping an eye on Fluttershy to ensure she didn’t move and dislodge the strange cream that was coating her wounds. “Almost.” Howls replied as he advanced towards Cerberus, his body tensing as fire flared in his mouth, Myst reappearing in his jaws. “Wait...” Twilight whispered, horror dawning as she watched Howls rear up, Myst’s edge catching the last rays of sunlight, and Cerberus’s heads jerking up in a last ditch attempt to survive. “DON’T DO IT!” She screamed out as Howls blurred once more, the sick sound of metal carving through bone and flesh filling the glen. Both of the remaining heads dropped, cut in twain by the silver blade. Silence settled over the meadow as the twilight faded, giving way to the night as only the wind moved across the glen, the rustle of grass and the creaking of timbers breaking the silence. Eventually Twilight Sparkle came up to the giant corpse, her hooves stained red as she walked through the cooling pool of blood. For a long moment she just stared as she stood at Howls side, then slowly she turned to look at him, their eyes meeting. Tears ran down her face as she tried to speak, her throat tight, the words locked inside, her chest filling with an unknown emotion, almost as though it was about to burst. Howls met her gaze, the emerald glow of his eyes blazing in the deepening shadows of the night as he waited for her. Eventually she ground them out, the words spewing forth, at last given a release. “You... Monster.” Closing his eyes as he prepared himself for what he knew to come, Howls turned away from Twilight, his nose leading the way back to Ponyville. “Don't you walk away!” She screamed, a flash of purple energy smashing into a tree in his path, the entire trunk exploding from the impact as she shouted at him more, her horn burning with eldritch light. “You just murdered an innocent! You killed him, and you're not even sorry! What kind of monster are you?!” Howls stopped as he looked over his shoulder to Twilight. “I’m going to send a message to the Princesses. They need to know the gate is unguarded.” His body was enveloped in a purple aura as he was yanked off the ground, spun in place and hauled back to float a few feet in front of Twilight. “I’m still not done with you! How could you have done that to Cerberus!? He didn’t need to die just so you could feel strong!” “Are you serious? You want to do this now?” Howls replied, surprise coloring his tone as he continued to hang in the air. “Because with Cerberus here and corrupted, that means the two are free. We need to warn someone.” Her eyes narrowed as her horn pulsed, and she vanished from sight. Howls continued to float in the air, looking as put out as possible for a wolf. He tested his movement, and found it unhindered by the aura. Huh. Guess she just put a levitation spell on me. Interesting. I wonder what she’s doi- Twilight reappeared in another flash of light, her gaze still hard as she said “Done. Just sent a letter off to Celestia letting her know what happened. Now, where was I?” “Repeatedly calling me a monster." “Why are you so calm!?" she said as she stepped closer, her teeth grinding as she glared at him. "...I'm being held in the air by an enraged pony. Frankly? I have had scarier things holding me." He shot back, his eyes half-lidded as he watched her fume. "Good! I'm not trying to be scary! I'm trying to be authoritative!" He arched an eyebrow at that. “Oh. You're being serious.” Twilight barely held back a frustrated scream at that, but still snapped out. "You really don't respect me at all! You're a big violent idiot and you have no idea what any of your actions even mean! This isn't your world! You can't just do whatever you want!" Howls leaned forward, studying for for a moment before he said "...Are you retarded? You have no idea of what's coming for your world. You haven't got a clue as to what's going to start happening! This?!” He waved a paw to Cerberus’s corpse. “This is the barest tip of the iceberg that's going to run all over your pretty world and blacken it! Don't you dare tell me what I do and don't know when you're the one in the dark here!" Twilight had begun to shake with anger, the aura around Howls flickering slightly as her concentration wavered. "Dark... I've been 'in the dark' plenty of times! And every time everypony turns to me to find out what's going on and how to stop it! No hints, no clues, no help until such a time as I've already figured out a solution! If you could use your head instead thinking with your teeth and claws maybe you'd have thought up another solution!" Howls rolled his eyes as he sighed. “Really? Another solution? How many did you have?” “I had a hundred, a thousand of them! If you-” "You had a thousand ways to do it better. A million ideas that could have fixed it all, right?" "Yes!" "Then why didn't you do any of them?" “Because you were too fast! Too stupid to wait! Too callous to give pause, and ultimately too paranoid to listen to me!" "Too fast? You think I'm fast? The Black Spiral Dancer is twice my speed. More ruthless than I, far more paranoid, and smarter than I am. But please, keep telling yourself that it was all my fault. That for all your magical power, you apparently couldn't stop me. If thats what lets you sleep at night." Her horn flared out a gout of magical energy, the earth beneath her feet cracking as loose bits floated into the air around her. "Cerberus isn’t your twice muled Black Spiral Dancer you iron skulled nitwit!” Rarity and Zecora gasped, Rarity quickly covering Sweetie Belle’s ears in horror. Howls lips quirked at her outrage, a quiet laugh slipping from his lips for a moment before he shot back “Not the point. You said you had ideas. You have power. Yet you failed to act. If you're looking for someone to blame for his death, then by your own logic you are the one who killed him, by failing to stop me and implement your plans." If it was possible for a pony to have steam erupt from their ears, Twilight would have made a sauna. "Yes! I failed to save him! So guess what I'm doing now? Blaming you! Blaming you to get it through your thick skull so that next time when I say stop you stop! My plan to save the next innocent soul you think is a monster is to make sure that you will listen to me! I'm trying to prevent this from ever happening again! I'm being responsible the only way I can short of sending you too the moon because you were the blade that killed Cerberus! If it is my fault, and you are the weapon, then I should melt you down and blunt you're edges! Tear out your fangs and claws or lock you away where I cannot use you to hurt anypony else!” She pulled in a shuddering breath before continuing. “Would that be your preference Howls?! Nothing can bring Cerberus back, all of my plans are pointless except for the ones I will use later! Every single enemy is different and I am not stupid enough to presume your foes innocent or to ask you to stop against an enemy that I don't think you could escape if given the opportunity! I'm not a monster!" Howls smile had vanished at that, his own heart beginning to pound with anger at her words. "Then you are an idiot. I have no reason to listen to a person whose so arrogant to assume her way is the right way in a situation she has never been in. Your applying your values and rules to a situation that is outside their scope. And go ahead, tear out my fangs and claws, they'll grow back, but do it anyway, lets see how much fun you'll have inflicting torture on someone.” Twilight’s lips peeled back, exposing her gums as she snarled back at him. "I have been in that situation before! Against Dragons, Hydras, Manticores, and Changelings! You don't even know what I'm capable of! I won't torture you, but I will show you what this tiny pony you disrespect so much can actually do!" Howls smirked back at her, his own lips drawing back to display his fangs in return. "Why in the hell would I respect someone who doesn't respect me? You don't like me killing? Tough. Shit. There's going to be a lot more death in the coming days if my guess is right, so grow a spine and deal with it." Twilight’s horn flared again, a plastic mannequin’s spine appearing in mid-air to wrap around Howls body, her grimace turning to a mocking grin for a moment. "Done and done. I respected your authority on your enemies. Cerberus wasn't. He was hurt, and confused. You didn't kill a monster. You killed a dog. You can be belligerent and disrespectful all you want, but don't complain to me when you get no respect in turn. If you had apologized that would have been the end of it, but your bullheaded attitude has snared you in a pitfall of your own making. Turn it back on me. Blame me for your doings. Dismiss me as unimportant and disrespect my authority here. Fine. You get none in return. We're done. If I see you in Ponyville then you won’t be for very long." Howls glanced down at the spine, an eyebrow rising as he touched a segment. Huh. Well, she at least put her money where her mouth is. Still, she’s missing the point. "And when your friends are attacked, your town burned, your people go missing? When your world begins to crumble and you don't know where or how to fight? Find me then, and I'll consider helping you. Because for all your idiocy, I don't want to see your people die." Twilight stepped forward, pressing herself nose to nose with the wolf. "You are one wolf. There is nothing you can do if we are in so much danger that my friends and my people cannot handle it. Your pride is disgusting. Just because you have fangs and claws you think yourself better. Just because you kill you think yourself stronger. Just because you have seen death you think yourself worldlier. You are flatly, and unmistakably a complete and utter foal!" Howls began to laugh. He laughed long and loud, his laughter cold and mocking as he leaned back, his diaphragm taking in even more air as he let his lungs bellow out his laughter. His laughter did not end even as Twilight, her eyes burning with amethyst light, blasted him in the chest with a bolt of energy, sending Howls hurtling deep into the Everfree, his laughter stopping only after the faint thud of his body landing had reached them. Feeling his ribs slide back into place, Howls bit the spine, his jaws easily cutting through the hastily crafted construct, the rest of the spine falling to dust a moment later. Snorting blood from his nose, he turned to the glen and began to walk back, unfinished business on the forefront of his mind. --- Shining Armors heart was in his throat when he saw Twilight and the rest emerge from the Everfree forest, the adult mares hooves coated in blood, and Fluttershy’s coat doused red from the wounds across her side. “Twily!” He shouted, racing up to them, First Watch landing beside him, his metal shod hooves clinking on the stone. “What happened in there?” Twilight’s gaze snapped up to him, simmering with rage. But instead of words she simply released an inarticulate scream and trotted past her brother and the gray coated pegasus beside him. Rarity winced. “Howls-With-Laughter killed Cerberus... it was self defense, kind of, but...” “The worg slew Cerberus?” First Watch said, his eyes widening just a fraction as his wings ruffled. “In single combat?” Rarity nodded, shooting Twilight a look as the purple mare just continued to move, levitating Fluttershy towards the hospital. “Honestly, it was unnecessary. Twilight and Howls had...words, and he remained behind in the Everfree.” “And if he ever shows his face in town I’ll make sure he stays there! He and that forest deserve each other!” Twilight shouted from just barely in auditory range. First Watch leaned to Shining Armor and whispered. "Yeah can't lie, just a little impressed, but now that we know Cerberus is well and truly gone I think I can convince the Princesses to post actual guards at that feather ruffling gate." "So for you this is a win win?" Shining replied in equally low tones. "Pretty much." "You're kind of a jerk." "S'why I'm not Celestia's pet dog." “No, your just a mule kisser.” “And proud of it.” Both Captains smirked, their mild banter drowning out the group of mares for a moment before Shining spoke up again. “Where are Cerberus’s remains? We should at least give him an honorable funeral.” First Watch nodded as his leathery wings snapped open. “I’ll find him, you get the girls safe. The investigation at the gate at least tells us the Black Spiral Dancer and the Vampire have been out a day, and with Cerberus showing up today, that's two days they have on us. They could be anywhere within a hundred miles by now, so watch your flank.” With a single beat of his wings he shot into the air, vanishing against the night sky. Nodding as he shouted after First Watch “I’ll join you once I see them home!” Shining Armor followed the mares back to the main street, as he filled them in on why he was there. “Yesterday First Watch discovered that the Gate had been opened, and Cerberus was nowhere to be found.” Twilight nodded mechanically as her brother ran to catch up to her, her eyes narrowed in thought as she listened. “What did the investigators find? Magical residue, broken weapon fragments?” “None of that actually.” Shining Armor replied. “All we found were footprints, four sets in total. One was obviously Cerberus, what with them being nearly five feet across. The others were left by a trio of bipedal creatures, two with large claws on each toe and very similar in appearance, though one of them was larger and deeper sunk into the dust. The final tracks were...odd.” “How so?” Rarity asked as she glanced behind at the fillies following along. “They were not actual footprints, but more... more like treads. Like... you know how our shoes leave different patterns than our normal hooves do? Same thing with that set of tracks. Whatever was leaving them behind was wearing a foot covering of some sort, and was much lighter and shorter than the other two.” Twilight nearly let out a snarl of her own as she realized what this meant. “We’re going to have to ask Howls to explain this.” “Yup.” “Not doing it.” Holding up a hoof, Shining quickly spoke up. “Don’t worry Twi, I’ll ask him.” “Good, because if I see that wolf again too soon...” The implications were clear to what she intended. The rest of the trip was in silence as Shining walked the mares to the hospital, a quick hug to his sister in goodbye before returning to the Everfree. --- First Watch flew higher and higher into the sky over the Everfree as he sought any sign of the battle that had been waged, and the green glow in the distance caught his eye easily in the dark. His leathery wings carried him towards its center, eventually revealing the bonfire that sat in its center, its light casting everything within its light into a slightly sickening green. Near the center where Cerberus’s body lay, First Watch noted the small figure that sat next to the flames, apparently unaffected by the heat that was burning the giant dog’s body. Nodding to himself, First Watch banked, returning to Ponyvilles outskirts to wait for Shining Armor. It was not a long wait, Shining Armor’s horn aglow as he made his way back to the Everfree, nodding once to First Watch as the pair began their trek through the forest. “So, what's happening in there?” “Nothing much. From what I saw the worg is burning Cerberus in the middle of the meadow where they fought, but the flames are not spreading out beyond his corpse.” “Magical fire?” Shining asked, an eyebrow arching up. “I didn’t know he had that power.” “I think its the blade more than him, as the sword was stuck in Cerberus’s side and the flames seemed to be emanating from there, so I don’t think Ponyville is in danger of a forest fire.” Shining Armor was silent for a moment as he listened with half a mind. “And if he decides not to speak with us? If he tries to run or fight?” Posed as a question, his tone implied he already knew the answer. First Watch’s lips pulled into a tight line. “Frankly? If he was able to solo Cerberus, then he is not somepony I want to fight, even with you at my side. If things go badly I’ll fly us out of here while you put a barrier around us. Sound good?” “Yeah, sounds like a plan.” The rest of their trek was silent, only the strange noises of the Everfree keeping them company as the glow grew brighter and brighter, eventually the pair entering the meadow, taking a moment for their eyes to adjust to the light. “Come closer, I won't bite.” Came Howls voice, carrying over the crackle of flames as he glanced over his shoulder to them, his features cast in flickering shadows. “You two here to call me names as well?” “No.” Shining Armor replied as he made his way up to Howls side. Odd. Those flames are charring Cerberus to ash, yet I barely feel any of the heat. Meeting Howls gaze, he said “I’m here to get your side of the story. I have already spoke with my sister and her friends, so I wanted to get hear from you as well.” Turning back to face the flames, Howls replied. “Nothing much to say. We came to speak to Zecora about the loss of our shadows, Fluttershy didn’t take it well, and ran off. I chased after her and found her here. We talked for a bit, then Cerberus burst out of the treeline, attacked her, and I slew him. Simple as that.” “My sister says you killed him without needing too. Can you tell me why you felt it was necessary to slay him?” Shining asked, following Howls gaze to the burning body. Howls held up a paw, a ball of soft yellow light popping into being as he tossed it out over the grass in front of Cerberus. “Look at the grass where his blood spilled.” First Watch and Shining Armor caught each others glance, words passing as they looked at the bloodied ground. Well... First Watch thought to himself as he examined the dirt. Nothing out of the ordinary, just blood soaked dirt. I don’t see what he’s getting at here- He stopped as he finally caught what Howls had hinted at. “...The grass here is dead. Everything that the blood touched is dead.” “Yes... Howls, what is the meaning of this?” Shining asked, one hoof pawing at the earth in question. “That is what my foes do.” Howls replied, still staring at the slowly burning husk. “They take what was pure, and twist it until nothing remains. Cerberus was a good dog, I saw that when we first met.” He paused for a moment of thought. “Well...” A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “After I stopped my heart from bursting out of my chest in fear anyway.” He turned in place to fully look at the two stallions. “What I killed today was not the Cerberus you knew. He was corrupted, overtaken by the mental and spiritual powers of my enemies. Ask yourselves, would he have ever struck Fluttershy of all ponies if he was in his right mind?” He got up and moved beside the duo, one paw digging up the grass to show its dried and withered roots. “This is the fate that awaits your world, the fate that my world is in the death throes of at this very moment. What I did this day is ill met, and I realize the price for my actions will be revilement and disgust. But what happened to Cerberus is going to happen to other creatures, ponies included.” Both stallions remained silent, their eyes shadowed as images played out across their minds. “They will come for your friends and family, and they will break them, torture them until they get what they want, and then kill them. If they are lucky anyway. If they are not...” A cold, nasty grin slipped across Howls lips. “If they are unlucky, they get to live a half-life, screaming in endless agony as a twisted shell of the person they used to be, the vile spirits infused into their empty selves controlling them utterly, only a tiny fragment of their minds left intact.” “Not out of kindness you understand.” Howls said as his paw curled, digging furrows into the dirt below. “But because the spirits love the taste of their hosts despair and fury as they are forced to watch the spirit turn what they love to ashes.” A brief moment of silence hung as the two stallions contemplated that, Shining eventually speaking up. “Howls, we found strange tracks around the gate to Tartarus, and I was hoping you could shed some light on them.” “Shoot.” Shining quickly repeated what he had told the mares, his eyes watching Howls for every flicker of emotion that crossed his features. Howls nodded as Shining finished, still watching Cerberus burn. “The two tracks you spoke of, the ones with the claws on the toes? That sounds like the tracks left by my people in one of our forms, our most dangerous form. However..” His eyes narrowed. “You said two pairs of those tracks, which likely means a second Dancer was pulled in with them and myself.” A sigh slipped from his lips as his head drooped. “Great. Just fucking perfect. Cadman, Louis and now another Gaia damned Black Spiral Dancer added into the mix, just for kicks.” He glanced up at the sky, searching the stars for familiar constellations, only to find none waiting for his gaze. “As for the strange tracks you found? That was the vampire, and he’s wearing what we call shoes in my world. His body is less resilient than the Dancers, so he needs to wear something to protect his feet, that's all... or at least that was the case, now that I think about it, he probably wears them to look normal.” First Watch spoke up then. “So basically our situation is even worse.” “Yup.” The trio sat in silence for an hour as they watched Cerberus’s body slowly burn, their thoughts hidden from the others, until First Watch spoke up once more. “How come I can’t smell him burning?” “Hm?” Howls replied, glancing at First Watch in confusion. “It’s a bonfire made out of a giant dog, we should be smelling cooking meat, right?” “Ah, that's Myst doing his thing.” Howls said as he pointed at the blade. “Myst is a purifying fire, and as such he burns away all corruption. Cerberus’s entire body was corrupted, down to the marrow of his bones, and as such Myst is burning everything away, so there is almost nothing for the air to carry. I can still smell it because my nose is sharper than yours, but even that is little compared to what it normally would be.” Turning to face First Watch, Howls said, “By the way, I don’t know you. What is your name?” First Watch placed a hoof upon his chest, the metal already cold to the touch. “First Watch, Captain of Luna’s Night Guard.” “...Sooo the same thing as Armor then, just for Luna?” “Exactly. His official title is-” “I can say my own rank, thanks.” Shining said as a small grin tugged at his lips. He too placed a hoof upon his chest as he said “Shining Armor, Captain of Celestia’s Day Guard.” “Well, it was nice to meet you Watch, but it’s getting pretty late. You two should head back to Ponyville for the night.” Shining arched an eyebrow at that. “And what are you going to be doing?” “Cleaning up the rest of this mess. Shouldn’t take long, but after that I’m going to find a nice little cave and make myself a shelter, as your sister might try to keep that promise of throwing me back into the Everfree if I enter the town.” “Oh, she was serious alright.” Shining said, a soft laugh escaping. “I would give her a few days to calm down. She’ll feel bad about it after that and want to come apologize.” Howls stared at Shining. “Are we talking about the same mare? The same one that hurled my ass like a frisbee into the forest, the same one that blew me through three feet of rock? That mare?” “Yes...?” Shining replied, a question in his eyes. “She was pretty mad, but I’m sure she’ll calm down once I explain things to her.” Howls shrugged at that. “Either way, her being happy with me isn't important. What is important is getting your people ready for what's coming.” First Watch pointed to the now dying fire, the final bits of Cerberus all but ash. “Is that what's coming?” Howls met his gaze, his eyes burning with their own inner flames as the last flickers died from what little was left of Cerberus. “Worse.” He said as the darkness encompassed them all. “Much worse.”