The Yumis kept plowing through all the trees in the forest, barely stopping to go around a rock as Fluttershy kept complimenting it. The stallion from the shop sighed as the Yumis finally arrived at his hut in the forest. It was rather big compared to those the five had already seen. It was sitting in the middle of a small patch in the forest that had obviously never seen trees grow on it. A bit of the sun shone through the trees, giving off a rather unique shadow-lighting on the house. Fluttershy stopped the Yumis, who lowered itself so that everypony could jump down. The stallion still struggled to walk quickly towards the door of his hut. He obviously hated the Yumis and took the closest opportunity he had to escape it. He knocked violently on the door. A gentle voice answered:
"Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me darling."
" Spearow? It's still early? Why are you back so early?"
"I can explain later. Just open the door."
"Okay."
As the door opened, a rasberry mare with a bright blue mane came out of the door. Her mane was kept against her neck, giving it a slender look.. Her eyes were colored just like her mane, and gave a sense of sensitivity to them. Her cutie mark look like a pot with bubbles. Something strange. She screamed when she saw the Yumis. The stallion tried to calm her down, but the beast got riled up and charged at her with a roar, until Fluttershy stopped it and scoled the creature, who started moving back.
"Wha-? How? Why?"
"Yes. I know. I don't get it either. But, perhaps these mares can enter our abode for now?"
"I...I suppose so." she was shaking like a leaf.
"It's good girls. You can come in."
"Finally! Something that goes calmly today. I suppose you have showers?"
"Showers? What's that?"
Rarity looked utterly horrified at this remark.
"Why, it's where you bathe!"
"Oh! We use the river downhill to clean ourselves up. If you want to do it now, I suggest you hurry up. It's the time where the Aqua fangs come out and they have been quite active."
"I...I prefer not to know what those things are. Do you have soap?"
"Soap? No. There are red berries on the nearby bushes, though. They are very hygenic, and most citizens of the Empire use them to bathe. Just smash them up in your hooves and you'll be ready."
Rarity hesitated, but seeing herself all mudded up in one of the tall skinny mirrors against the wall of the hut quickly forced her to go bathe. Pinkie Pie stayed outside to play with the Yumis while Fluttershy tried to learn more about it. All that was left were Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. The mare brung a platter inside the room they were in. It was filled with things made from the skin of animals. The middle of the room had two large brown couches facing a small glass table which held old fashioned tools made from wood and stone. The mare was shocked once again by Her husband's wounds. They were still there despite Twilight trying her best to heal him in the shop. He lied down on the couch as his wife put bandages on him. He yelped every now and then.
"So...who are you five? OW! What was that for?" he yelled at his wide.
"Isn't it common courtesy for the Stallion to present himself to the mare before asking names?"
"*sigh*. You know best Rasberry."
"Yes I do."
"I'm Spearow hooves, a beastmaster."
The stallion did remind the two mares of a certain mailpony that worked at their hometown. He had the same gray coat, and the same blonde mane and tail and the same eyes. The only difference being his cutie mark, a spear.
"There we go." said Rasberry.
Spearow mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. So, what are your names?"
"Well, mine is Twilight Sparkle. My friend here is Applejack."
"Howdy."
"The two mares out there are Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. I'm sure you know which is which."
"Are...ARE THEY PLAYING WITH THE YUMIS?!"
"Well, yeah. Pinkie Pie there is real good at parties and ah've never seen 'er get scared of anythin', and Fluttershy's special talent is workin' with animals." said Applejack.
The couple both looked at the two mares in a stunned but impressed way.
"And the pony you saw leave her for a "bath" was Rarity. Her special talent is in fashion." finished Twilight.
"Really? And what are your special talents?"
"Well, mine is with apples. Ya ask me to grow apples 'n I'll grow ya the best apples ever!"
"APPLES?! We haven't seen ny in generations! Perhaps that talent of yours could be useful.I could get you a job in agriculture while you all settle down here. Now, what about you...Twilight was it? What is your special talent?" asked Rasberry. She was sure that this mare's talent had something to do with stars.
"Magic."
The couple stared at her, then laughed.
"Haha! Unicorns haven't been seen for over five senturies since the Empire's founding. They have all been hunted and captured. Now really, what is your talent? And why do you wear that ridiculous horn?" laughed Spearow.
He was exhilirating himself. Forcing his laughter out. Twilight moaned and performed a little magic to lift the tray with the cups of tea in them. Spearow and Rasberry's smiles faded away as they realized that this wasn't a trick.
"I wasn't lying. Now, we have several questions that need answering."
"Then one final one from me. Is that "Rarity" gal from your group also a real unicorn?" asked Spearow.
"Yes. More importantly, I need to know the date."
"You mean you don't know?"
"We kinda arrived here but some wierd means. We don't know where we are." replied Applejack.
"...okay... It's 1025 E.B."
"E.B.?" the mares asked.
"Empire of Blood. You definately aren't from around here if you don't know our Empire. Where do you come from?"
Twilight and Applejack qtill didn't know when they were. "E.B." is an unknown time measuring system to them.
"Equestria." said Twilight Sparkle.
"Never heard of it. You have more questions to ask us before we help you settle into the Empire? Time is money, and lost money means lost lives here."
"Not a very fun place ta be." mocked Applejack.
"No. It isn't."
"Have you seen a cyan pegasi around here lately? She's our friend and we lost here...on our way here."
"Cyan pegasi...cyan pegasi...with a rainbow colored mane and tail?"
"You saw her?!" yelled Twilight in joy.
The couple looked at eachother after Rasberry finished the bandaging. They were worried.
"I...I'm sorry but, she arrived here a few days before you did. She was caught by the army and was taken to the Crimson city, that giant place surrounded by walls over there."
"Oh no..." Twilight flopped back down on the couch. If the soldiers were as bad as the ones they met earlier, then that would mean that...
"But I do not think she was killed. The guards saw more interest in that particular speed and energy that she had. I wouldn't be surprised if she was turned into a general right at the spot."
This reassured the two mares in some form, but the idea that their friend joined that army was unthinkable.
"What's a beastmaster?" asked Fluttershy.
She had been at the door for quite awhile now. Spearow just looked at her with joy and intrigue. He would make her a beastmaster. The best the Empire would have ever seen.
"A beastmaster is somepony who tames wild and dangerous creatures like the Yumis out there."
"It isn't dangerous. In fact, it's just a little dear that was scared."
Rasberry was about to complain against this, but Spearow shook his head so that she wouldn't say anything.
"I still don't know how you did it, but Yumis are used as creatures of war and slaughter. They were basically created by the Empire to be used as a forefront during our wars. If you want to be a beastmaster, you will have to learn what each creature likes and hates, and how to control them. Although I believe that controlling is in your natural abilities."
"I prefer "befriending"."
"Whatever you say. Do you want me to train you? You could help me at my shop tomorrow. The ponies of the village must have rebuilt it by now."
"What? That fast? That's impossible!" Twilight yelled.
"Like I said earlier, time is money, and lost time means lost lives. We all look after eachother to make sure that noone dies for disobeying the Empire. Times may be harsh, but that's how things are. Now then, Fluttershy, do you want me to train you?"
Fluttershy hesitated for a second. She would be near alot of monsters, and this would be hard work, but she would learn alot about the creatures that lived here. She accepted.
"One last thing, to become a full beastmaster, you must tame a full grown dragon."
"Eep!"
"Pahaha! You won't be doing that now. Maybe in ten years or so, IF you work hard enough."
Fluttershy exhaled in relief. Suddenly, screaming was heard outside.
"Rarity?" said Applejack.
They all left the hut to see the white mare dripping in water running as fast as she could. Behind her were some strange fish-like creatures. These things had large fins on their heads, backs, and tails. They had clawed feet and a mouthless face, Although what could be some kind of extending, poisonous thorn was flailing about the area their mouths should be. They looked like they were made from water.
"Shoot! Aqua fangs! Quickly! In the house!"
Rarity didn't think twice before getting inside the house. The creatures started to scratch at the door until a rock was thrown at them. They were five. They turned to face their attacker. It was Spearow along with Twilight and Applejack.
"Why don't you pick on somepony with a better challenge?"
They made some sort of bubbled growls as they started to move slowly towards the mares. Fluttershy flew right in front of them.
"Wait! I can stop them."
"Fluttershy, I know you are very good with animals, but those things are soulless." spewed Spearow.
"Oh, I'm sure you just think that because you could never "befriend" them."
"No Fluttershy, I'm serious, get away from them."
Spearow was acting unusually calm and quiet in his warnings. Fluttershy started to compliment the creatures and pet them. The one recieving these treatments looked annoyed. It was about to strike at her until Spearow rammed into it.
"What are you doing? It was calming down!"
"Look out!"
The beast ran and jumped at Fluttershy, hoping to get her jugular. A swift punch to the neck had it falling down in coughing. The other four growled and attacked the group. Applejack jumped on one then kicked it far away, while Twilight picked one up with her magic and intercepted a charging Aqua fang with her "projectile"." The things just kept coming. The group tired out but wasn't ready to give out. One question arose within Twilight's head, however.
Where's the Yumis and Pinkie Pie?"
A sudden loud roar was heard, followed by a "CHARGE!". The Yumis burst out from the trees and impaled one of the aquafangs with it's tail. The creature started to bubble up and quickly dissolved into a puddle. Pinkie Pie had some sort of sword attached to her hoof while she wore a wierd hat.
"Get me closer, I want to hit them with my sword!" she yelled.
Karm roared and grabbed two more of the fangs as they charged at it. It threw them into the air, allowing Pinkie to slice at them with her sword. The biggest of the group bit one of the Yumis' legs, causing it to roar in pain. It stared at the Aqua fang in pure anger. It grabbed the beast and crushed it between it's claws. It then put it in both claws, and slowly ripped it in two, water splattering everywhere as the two sides flopped onto the ground. Fluttereshy was still disturbed by Karm's actions. The last two Aqua fangs, the ones cut by Pinkie Pie, fleed in fear. The Yumis roared one last time and let Pikie off it's back.
Spearow went to Pinkie Pie who had jumped off Karm. Fluttershy was hugging it. She certainly knew what she was doing with animals.
"Where did you come from? And where did you get those?"
"We just went to walk around in the forest and I found these on the way."
"But those belong to the dreaded Jonchu of the Empire."
"Jonchu?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"Yes. They act as both replacement commanders and assassins. I don't know what could have killed something like a Jonchu, but it must've been very powerful. Now then, I know things have been rough for all of us today, but how about we just spend the rest of it quietly in my house, discussing everything about eachother. I'm sure we all need the rest."
Fluttershy came back. The Yumis was walking away into the forest.
"Wh-where is it going?" asked Twilight.
"It's just going to find a little nest to sleep in. It'll be back tomorrow."
Spearow was still astonished by that Pegasus' ability with animals. He had never seen such a thing. It would certainly come in use later on. The group entered the hut, just to see Rarity designing something for Rasberry. She really never stopped. It's like she had already forgotten about the fangs. The door closed as Twilight worringly asked about the "unicorn hunt" that Spearow mentioned earlier.