> The Monster Of Manehattan
>  by FoxWithAMask
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Thrill Of The Hunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manehattan. A city full of ponies. Full of happy, joyous smiles. All of them fake. They call this a city of full of hope and future. Lies!

A city full of hate and death just hiding beneath the surface.

Yeeeesssssss!

So many unsolved murders swept away under the rug of this putrid society, all of them causing more crimes, which cause more crimes and more crime families to spring up and more gangs!

I looked over the city streets from the rooftops and thought back to how it all began, some...thirty years ago. It started with twenty murders. They came out of nowhere, the city's first major serial killer. The Royal Guard was dispatched, along with several investigators sent by Princess Celestia herself, but the killer was never found, although after the twentieth murder the killer just seemed to...disappear into legend.

At least for a decade. Ten years later, the city having a small batch of crimes being carried out at any one time, but nothing as deadly as murder, it was then that the killer returned...

The killer didn't seem to care who he or she killed. Mare or stallion. Child or adult. Pony or otherwise. But for two years a river of blood flowed through the streets are the killer slaughtered any he came across. The princess came but could do nothing but slow the murders with her presence. And then, just like before, the killer just up and vanished. Or, as the legend goes, is just biding his time, waiting for the next time to strike.

But even with the killer gone the city's paranoia grew ever stronger. Friends became enemies, families were at each other's throats, and as the years passed the situation grew and grew. Crimes grew more frequent and violent, and what was once a peaceful city finally exploded into chaos. Fire burned in the streets, bodies lined the pavement, and mobs roamed the streets. A few used this chaos to seize control of power and thus Manehattan's crime families were born. And even after the mob was calmed things never went back to the way they used to be, they simply put up a false cover of peace. And like the fools they are the rest of the world believed their lie.

I laughed loudly, my cackles echoing across the city. It was hysterical! Who could have thought that by simply murdering a few worthless, inferior creatures I could insight such a similarity to my own world? Still, I believe it's time to get back into the game. And who better to start my killing spree off than with the newly crowned princess?

I leaped off the rooftop, my secondary legs sprouting from my back, after a few seconds I past by a large skyscraper and the three, hairy, extra legs on my left side grabbed it, swinging me onto it. As my other legs made contact I began to scurry up the building. I couldn't delay, my target was due to leave at any minute with her worthless friends! That princess was so foolish to believe she didn't need any guards! HA! That arrogant idiot! She'll see. Tomorrow all of Equestria will weep for the loss of one of their precious princesses!

Four of my eyes scanned the streets while the two looked for the next jump and the remaining two eyes watched where I was crawling. There! My target was heading to the docks! I had to be quick if I wanted her in my grasp!

I dived off the building and dived into a building still in construction. Running through the unfinished floor on my original legs I reached the other side of the building a leaped out, hovering in freefall for a second before my extra legs caught a crane's cable. Spinning around the cable I brought myself to a stop, scanning for the target. I found her almost directly below me.

I jumped to another building, closer to the ground, and crawled along it, following the target until she entered a dark alley, quickly followed by her slaves, oh, pardon me, her friends. The fool didn't even realise she'd just ensured her own death. I leapt across the street and clung to the alley entrance before grinning.

My target was so kind as to give a running narration of her little...predicament. "Oops! Sorry, girls, I must have took a wrong turn, it's a dead end." She made her way to the front of the group before setting off again.

NOW! I leaped for that insignificant pony wretch, my fangs ready to taste fresh flesh once again. She didn't even notice a thing as I closed in on her.

But that all ended with a yell from a nearby stallion, "Princess! Look out!" And I was violently jerked to a sudden halt by a magical glow of the silver variety. I struggled and squirmed, but it was no use. I was stuck.

The target turned and gasped. "Captain Dusk Flame, what happened?"

A red coated stallion in a set of white armour strolled up next to me, his horn glowing the same silver as his eyes. The same silver of the magic keeping me suspended. "Thank True Sight here. She spotted this thing jumping from building to building." He glared at me. "It seemed to be following you, it's quicker than I thought, it almost slipped through my grip."

The target smiled at something behind me. "Thank you, True Sight."

I managed to sneak a glance of a second white armoured guard behind me. "It was nothing, Princess." She nodded.

Damn it! Of course she'd have guards! Idiot, idiot, IDIOT! Fuck! I'm screwed! I can't even move properly! They're going to lock me in a cage! They're going to dissect me! If only I could move more than my legs! ...Wait...could I...?

I slowly sneaked one of my legs over to the wall while the target inspected me as if I was an experiment. "What is this?" She murmured. "It looks...almost like a spider." As my leg made contact with the wall a brick stuck to the leg and I flicked my leg forwards, tearing the brick from the wall and causing it to go flying into the face of the unicorn guard holding me in the air. His magic cut off as he staggered backwards, blood dripping from his face.

I jumped him, my fangs tearing through both that useless helmet and skull and I got a taste of that sweet, sweet brain below before I jumped backwards and impaled the other guard with all six of my legs, penetrating the armour with ease. Snarling I started upon the others, my target among them. I pulled my legs through the body, sending chunks of bloody flesh flying everywhere. I grinned as my target jumped backwards and her friends formed a wall in front of her.

I dashed forwards punching the orange one out of my way easily, before jumping and kicking the blue one up into the wall further down the alley. The white and pink ones were pathetic. All I had to do was shove them away. The only one left in my way the yellow one.

"How dare you!" The yellow one scalded, her eyes burning my mind. "How could you do something like this?!" N...no...S-she's...In...side my...head... "What would your mother say?!"

I let out a feral shriek and dived at her my fangs snapping in her face as some of the others acted quickly, pulling me back. Just a few more inches! I saw the glow of the target's horn and quickly abandoned my attack on the yellow one, jumping backwards into those that were holding my legs, knocking them away before I jumped up high on the wall of the alley, hiding in the shadows.

I glared down at the small group as they muttered amongst themselves. How dare they attack me! Those insignificant insects! I crawled along the wall to further down the alley before dropping down towards the Alicorn, I landed on her and got a good punch in, feeling something crunch, before leaping off and scurrying into the shadows again.

"Twilight!" The blue one yelled. "Are you okay?!"

The resilient bitch just groaned and nodded, blood pouring down from her nose. "I...think so. Watch out, girls! It's strong!"

I hissed in the darkness before leaping at the white one, clawing at it's face, but its damn hair got in the way so I tore two handfuls out before leaping back up to the shadows as she screamed in pain. She suddenly started blasting bolts of magic in the area I had leaped. I was hit by a few but they did little more than sting.

Then the target joined her. While the white one's bolts were weak and little more than an annoyance the target's bolts cut deep into my flesh. I screeched in pain. Damn her! That worthless whore! I...I had to get out of there! I tried to scuttle away from the alley, the rooftops were my sanctuary they'd protect me! But as I was about to make it to freedom a bolt of lightning struck me, sending me falling back down the alley.

After I recovered from my electrical encounter I looked up and saw the blue obstacle standing on a dark cloud. "Ha! How'd you like that, you freak?!" She yelled. I snarled before looking towards my target. She had her horn lit and her allies surrounded her. And the intent...I could see it in their eyes.

They were going to kill me.

I...cowered before them. I had no choice! If I had not then they would have surely killed me on the spot! It was merely a survival tactic! As a superior being I refused to let myself be killed off by such weaklings and beasts of burden!

The yellow one approached me. "Come on, I won't hurt you, I promise." She whispered her foul, poisonous lies. But I played along. Keeping myself low to the ground I used my extra legs to slowly creep towards her. I suddenly threw myself at her, only to catch a kick to the face from the strong, orange one, falling back I quickly climbed back to my feet. Before I could attack again I was struck by lightning by the blue wench. I spasmed before falling to the ground. I tried to push myself back up but my body wouldn't respond. Damn it. I shouldn't have tried it. I've been feeling weaker than usual lately. I knew I shouldn't have tried it until I was feeling better! I sighed, giving up. Shit.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I slowly thudded my head against the thick bars of the cage. Why? Why did this happen? The boat journey had happened while I slept, we were now apparently on a train. The room was large but plain, there was a desk over in the corner, a few seats, and the cage was on the opposite side of the room of the door.

"Does it look...I don't know, intelligent to you?" The target asked, peering at me, getting closer until I hissed at her, causing her to jump back.

"Intelligent? Nah, of course not, Twi!" Blue chuckled. Yeah, because I'd have to be unintelligent for you to catch me.

Pink giggled, "Yeah! Because he'd have to be unintelligent for you to catch him!" Damn straight. Wait, what?

Blue nodded, "Exactly!" She blinked. "Hey!"

I turned up my nose at the insects. They aren't worth my attention. I curled up in a ball and quickly fall asleep.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As I awoke I felt...wrong. Something was wrong! I went to grab my medallion, but I only grasped air. No! Where is it?! WHERE IS IT?! I searched the cage, screeching and slamming into the bars. I was about to give up when I spotted a flash out of the corner of my eye. There it is! My medallion was on a desk on the other side of the room, way out of reach of my arm, but...perhaps... I unleashed my legs and stretched one of them through the bars and carefully reached it over to the desk. But the medallion was too far away, I could only just make contact with the desk.

So I'll make the desk come closer then!

The adhesive hairs on my legs did its work as my leg brushed the desk. Then I carefully dragged it closer. After about three feet I let go of the desk and managed to grab the medallion. I brought my leg back and placed my medallion back in its rightful place. These ponies have no right to take it from me! They're just thieves!

With nothing better to do I decided to check on my injuries. Most of my cuts and injuries from yesterday had gone, only a few tiny injuries remained. Glad I have quick healing otherwise this would be nasty.

I was about to go back to trying to escape when I caught sight of my clothes. Or, rather, what remained of them. My shirt was just a pair of rags around my arms, not even covering me anymore. My pants weren't any better, just a ragged pair of dirty, old jeans just barely covering my privacy. And...that's it. That was all that remained of my clothes. Such a shame, I used to love wearing all kinds of clothes, but now I can't. Oh well! At least I became even more superior as a result!

But was the loss of family worth it?

I shook my head. What the hell am I thinking? I accepted my fate decades ago! There's no point in dragging up ancient history! I must be more out of it than I thought. I sighed and looked out of the window.

They're better off without me anyway.

I looked up as the door opened and the target and Pink entered, already in discussion. "What?!" The target gasped. "But...but it was right...who moved the desk?!"

Pink giggled, "I told you he wouldn't like it if you touched his stuff, Twilight!"

The target groaned, "Pinkie, it clearly isn't sapient."

Pink  turned to me and winked, "Right. Whatever you say, Twilight." What? Does...does she know? I can't understand that one.

The target sighed, "I'll never understand you, Pinkie." She looked over to me. "We'll never get away from it now it's awake. Argh!"

Pink giggled. "Oh well! Come on, Twilight!" Pink then pretty much shoved the target out the door before turning and giving me a salute.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After two hours of trying to get back to sleep I gave up. Sleep, it seemed, was avoiding me once again. I groaned and jumped to the top of the cage and hung there, stretching my extra limbs as best I could. It wasn't long until the door opened again and the blue wench entered along with the white one.

"Come on, Rarity! It's not...that...bad." The wench said.

As I caught sight of the white one's head I grinned viciously. She had two large patches of hair missing from her head, leaving her with  ridicules, almost mohawk like hair. "Not that bad?! Rainbow Dash! I am missing most of my MANE!!!" She yelled. Yeah, this is making up for getting caught. She glared at me, "And you!" She stormed up to my cage "You beast!"

"Uh, Rarity, I wouldn't..." The blue wench started to warn her but cut off when the white one gave her a glare before turning back to me.

"How dare you touch my mane!"  She yelled. I snarled and dropped off the ceiling and slammed my head against the bars.

"Rares, I really think you should back away!"

She turned to her again. "Rainbow Dash, I will put you in the most frilly, pink, cute dress I can make if you don't shut up!" As she turned back to me I shot out my hand and tore off the last of her hair. The high pitched scream that followed sent shivers of joy through my body.

The blue one dashed forwards and grabbed the white bitch. "Rarity! Are you okay?!"

She looked up with tears of pain in her eyes. "I...You...beast." She turned and they both left.

I was left alone in my cage.

...

Well, that was fun!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After that incident I was left alone for hours until the train came to a halt. The target entered the room with her little group. She threw a tarp over the cage, muttering something about not scaring anyone. I don't really care. I growled softly as I felt the cage begin to move. Well, this look's like it's going to end badly for me.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Princess Celestia!" Twilight Sparkle cried as she enter Canterlot throne room, the tarp covered cage being pulled in by her magic.

Celestia smiled at the sight of her former pupil. "Twilight, you know you can just call me Celestia now."

Twilight blushed, "Oh! Of course. Anyway, I have to speak with you!"

Celestia's eyes hardened. She looked towards her guards and nodded. The guards left without a word. She waited until the room was empty of guards to speak. "What is it, Twilight? Were the guards I sent not focused enough?"

Twilight smiled and shook her head. "No, nothing like that. The guards you sent protected me from an attack from a monster."

Celestia smiled warmly, "I will have to give them a well deserved promotion then."

"They're...dead." Twilight said. It suddenly hit her. "They're dead! I...I...how could I not even realise that?! How could I-?!"

Twilight's panicked tangent was cut off when Celestia engulfed her in a warm hug. "Shhh. It's okay. You're safe. You're safe." She soothed. "Sometimes things move so fast we don't realise. It's okay."

After several minutes of Twilight calming down. She backed out of the hug and wiped her tears away. "T...thank you."

"There's no need to thank me, Twilight."

Twilight backed off the the cage. "This is it! The beast that attacked me!" Twilight proclaimed, dragging the sheet off.

"Twilight." Celestia said, her eyes diluting slightly.

"I know, it isn't the prettiest thing to look at, but at least it won't be hurting anypony else."

"Twilight!" Celestia said louder catching Twilight's attention.

"Yes?" She asked inquisitively.

"Twilight. The cage is empty."

"WHAT?!" Twilight span around and saw that the bars of the cage had been bent and the cage was indeed empty. "But-but it was in there when we left the train! I'm sure of..." She trailed off, her voice shrinking to a faint whisper. "Oh, no."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I laughed, bounding from building to building. Who knew the different cities would feel so different? Sure, I may have been kidnapped from the only home I've known but this so makes up for it!  It was a damn good thing I started feeling a little better when I did! Otherwise I'd still be in that accused cage!

I crawled into an alleyway from a rooftop and spotted a guard below me. Good. I was feeling peckish! I slowly crawled down the walls, legs pressed against each side of the narrow alley, until I was directly above the guard, just a few centimeters separated us. I couldn't help it, a drop of drool slipped from my mouth and landed on the guard's hoof.

"What the?" He muttered. "Eeew! What is this? Where did it even come from?" He looked up and saw me hanging above him with a predatory grin. A scream rang out across the city before my fangs crushed through the stallion's skull and feasted on his brain.
	
	
> A New Plaything
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the moon shone brightly over Canterlot I jumped from rooftop to rooftop, my spirits soaring. I chuckled to myself as I saw ponies run from my shadow, ever since I'd arrived the ponies of this city had grown rightfully fearful of me. As I passed the area I killed the last bunch of guards to come after me I noticed there was a crowd growing outside the castle, despite the late hour. Curious, I crawled down the wall of a building close to the crowd, gaining a good vantage point.

I waited for around half an hour before Celestia made her appearance, I made sure to keep one pair of eyes on her while the rest scanned for potential attacks and escapes. She calmed the crowd with fake promises and old speeches. And like the naive children they are, they believed her. She announced that her elite guards were hunting me as she spoke. I snorted, like her pitiful guards could stop me. She then announced that it had been discovered that wounds on my victims was the same as those from all those years ago. That I, or perhaps my parent, was responsible.

I sighed. It was about time they figured that out. I was about to leave when The Tainted One joined her sister. I have to admit that I know very little about Luna. I could tell you more about Nightmare Moon. Tried to bring about eternal night one thousand years ago, was banished to the moon for a thousand years. Though there's some debate among the peasants on whether she was on the moon or in the moon. If Celestia did that to her own sister then she must be a bitch. Unfortunately she seems to be the self righteous kind of bitch.

Luna began talking about how guards were closing in on me as they spoke. I snarled and jumped away. Oh, how I wanted to kill her and her sister. But I already have a target. Even if she's avoided me for the past six weeks. I should really hunt her down.

As I landed on a rooftop in the middle of the city I paused. Something was wrong.

I jumped back as a lone pegasus bombed the spot I was moments before. Snarling, I dashed forwards and grabbed him by the neck while he was still disoriented from the crash. I tightened my grip, my claws digging into his neck. I chuckled as he gasped for air. I leaned closer, my mouth opening and drool dripping, pooling on the ground.

His choked screams ended as I tore through his skull. Remnants of his skull and bloody chunks of his brain slivered down my throat until there was nothing left but an empty skull. I wiped my mouth clean of blood. Such a sweet delicious meal.

I jumped to the next rooftop and made my way to my current accommodation. It...wasn't much. A few sewn together scraps, wood, metal, cloth, making a surface in high in an alley. Some bags and a single sheet for warmth. It was basic, but it was secure and safe. That's all that matters.

Laying down I began to think. Where was that target? She couldn't escape me. No one ever can, all they can do is delay the inevitable.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I stared down at the busy street from the shadows, after that little annoucement the other week these ponies just...just went about their pathetic lives. I twitched. Where is she?! I need to hunt! No one ever escapes me! NEVER!! My spare limbs began flailing as I began to suspect that, for the first time, my target was going to escape. NO! I WON'T LET HER ESCAPE!!! SHE'S MINE!!!

I twitched again as laughter echoed up to me. SHUT UP, FILTH!!! As the sounds of those scum that foolishly believe themselves worthy of my respect made their way up to me my rage grew until it was a volcano about to erupt. Why wait? A small voice at the back of my mind whispered. True enough, I would kill these scum regardless, but I need to kill the target. I twitched. But...perhaps...yes. A little practice would be fine. After all, I don’t to end up like I had last time.

I let loose a low laugh, who knows, I may even find out where my target is hiding! Yes...I think it’s time I had some relaxing therapeutic murder, at the very least it should lessen these pests from interfering later. But...I’ll have to be fast with the...wait...didn’t I…? Yes, that’s right. I overheard the pretend guards mention that their rulers were off in the Chicken House, oh, sorry, the Griffin Kingdom. Bah. Well, at least I won’t have to deal with those overpowered morons. Yes, this could work out...nicely.

I jumped down from the building and landed on a pony’s back. ...Huh. Well, that was lucky. I gave a loud roar and began swinging my claws at any nearby ponies. I grabbed a fleeing pony and forced my hand through his chest before tearing out his heart. Roaring, I grabbed a pony's head and ripped it off. I felt several bolts of magic blast me in the back, the weaklings were too weak to actually hurt me but it still stung. I turned, my eyes locking onto the yellow female unicorn with blue hair who's horn was still glowing. She shrieked and foolishly tried to run.

I leapt through the air, landing in front of the fleeing bitch. I grabbed her by her back leg as she turned and slammed her into the ground over and over until she was a bloody pile. I was about to put another waste of space in its place when the bloody heap groaned. I stared, she's still alive? Interesting. I picked it up. I began laughing as I began ripping off her blood and gore soaked limbs, her screams only fuelling my passion.

I howled with laughter as I ran out of limbs and moved onto slapping her around. Her squeals of pain amusing me. How she was still alive I don't know, but I'm going to have fun with this!. How to toy with her next? Ah! I lifted her up and gently slapped her across the face, grabbing her attention.

"What...do you..." She spluttered before she began shuddering. I lifted her and showed her the other pony filth still running around like headless chickens. I lifted her to my side and poked her and waved a hand around. She started yelling for help, "PLEASE, HELP ME!!! PLEASE!!! SOME...somepony...help me..." She trailed off as she realised that not one of these scum cared for her or would risk themselves to help her. 

I saw the hope drain from her eyes. Perfect. I dumped her on the ground before suspending myself over her. Lowering myself till I was all but touching her. I took in the deep, delicious scent of her blood and tears mixed together.

She shivered. "What...do you...want with me...?" I merely grinned and took in her scent again.

I spotted a large dog nearby, straining against the lead that hooked it to a post. I frowned, I had always been rather impartial to dogs. I shook my head gently loosening its collar. I tickled it behind the ears before letting it run off. Now...back to my little... I looked back to the collar. Big enough to fit around a pony's neck. I chuckled to myself as I made my way back to my toy. 

I loosened the collar and shoved my toy's head through it, a little difficult but nothing I couldn't manage, before tightening it. "S...stop it... J...just...kill me already!" She yelled before she started screaming. Huh. Wondered when she was going to start with that. She must have quite the impressive will to resist screaming for this long. For a lesser creature. But kill her? Oh no, I have plans for her.

I carried her through the streets, occasionally poking at the gore filled stumps that were once her legs to hear a more enjoyable scream of pain. I eventually found the kind of shop I was looking for. I dumped her in the middle of the sewing shop as I looked for the right kind of thread and...needle. I finally found some black thread and a suitable needle and headed back to my little toy.

She seemed to leave her little world of pain long enough to notice what I had. "What are those for?!" She shrieked as she began to rock and shake. "KEEP THAT AWAY FROM ME!!!"

I snarled and gave her a soft...ish kick before holding her head down. Then I began stitching the collar into her neck. Stitch...by...stitch. I'm glad the black of the thread matched the collar, otherwise this would look odd. But just a single row wasn't enough. Oh, no, no, no! It has to stay in there! Don't want them taking it out once they find her! I made sure that if they even thought of taking the collar off she'd die. Not even magic could stop that!

I looked over my handiwork, such wonderful perfection! Unfortunately my little pet had fallen unconscious while I was working. I took a step backwards and looked over my pet. A grin spread across my face and I began laughing. It was wonderful! Carrying her back outside I dumped her in the street, taking one last taste of her sweet blood before strolling away and continuing my rampage.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I dodged the guard's sword, sidestepping to the right before crushing her helmet and her head before impaling several ponies behind me, both pathetic cowards and weak guards.

Was this the extent of their power? Why am I not surprised? Such weakness doesn't deserve even pity. I roared to the sky before smashing a guard's head into a wall, painting it in his blood.

I hissed as a blade cut through my side. I smacked aside the guard's axe and tore into his stomach. Grabbing his intestines I ripped them out and wrapped them around his neck choking him until he went into shock. I groaned and threw him away, they're always boring when they get like that. No more fun in it. Well, apart from sating my bloodlust of course. 

I twitched once again. Where is my target?! I spotted a guard and punched her. Where is my TARGET?! I roared as I grabbed the guard and tore her in half, her blood and guts slopping to the floor. WHERE'S MY TARGET?! WHERE?! WHERE?!

As the screaming crowds began running away I sliced, impaled, crushed and tore my way through them. WHERE IS SHE?! WHERE?! I tore a guard in half before throwing her through a shop window. Howling, I dived through the shattered window after her and grabbed a cowering child in the corner of the room, ripping the brat's head off.

Looking around the room I saw the guard somehow still alive by a pile of newspapers. Strolling over to her I was about to lift her up when one of the newspapers caught my eye. I grabbed a paper and scanned the front page.

'After the recent attacks on Canterlot, Princess Twilight has returned to her home in Ponyville, stating that she is certain that the specially created guard will be able to catch the beast prowling the city.'

"You..." The guard coughed as I threw the paper away. "You're...intelligent...?"

I snarled before crushing her head beneath my foot. These annoying inferiors should know their place! Speaking to me as if an equal! The lowly scum!

"SQUEAKY!!!" A voice cried from the other side of the room. Turning I took notice of two ponies around the body of the brat. The male sobbing and female holding the headless body. I scoffed. What a couple of wimpy babies. More focused on their spawn then their own impending death.

"YOU FILTH!!!" The male roared at me, as I slowly approached them. At Me! "I'LL KILL YOU, YOU-" I got tired of his ranting and crushed his head in my hand. His body twitched for a few seconds before falling over.

The female dove at me, swinging her hooves at me, I dodged with a quick jump and landed on her back. I stomped down, severing her spine. As her pathetic scream echoed throughout the building I picked her up by the neck and took a bite into her delicious brain. 

Throwing her body aside I smashed through a door into a room filled with books and scrolls. Gritting my teeth I began grabbing them, one by one, looking for a map. Luck was with me, it seemed, as the fifth book I grabbed had a detailed map of Equestria in it. Scanning it, I found that this 'Ponyville' was a mere four hours walk to. My target thought she could hide from ME?! No. No one can hide from me, I will hunt her down and mount her head by Celestia's castle! That should leave the message that I am back and not to be trifled with.

Despite all the guards searching for me it was pitifully easy to escape. After escaping that particular area of the city I made my way back to my little hovel. I slept until the comfort of night blanketed the city. This was the time I was truly in my element. Usually it was to sneak up on my victims, but tonight I would be to sneak out of the city. I should get to Ponyville before morning if everything went to plan.

As I leapt across the city, avoiding the pegasus search parties scouring the city for me. As a spotlight wielding pegasus passed overhead I hid inside an alley. As much as I wanted to kill the scum, I couldn't afford to bring attention to myself tonight.

I growled lowly as the pony passed. Soon. You live. For today. As soon as the pony passed by I climbed back up to the rooftop and jumped towards the edge of the city.

I stared off the edge of the mountain. This was it. Not much longer till you're in my grasp, little Princess. I leapt off the mountain and dived through the air for several seconds before my legs caught hold of the mountain and coming to a stop. As I began climbing down I began thinking of the ways that damn pretty Princess would suffer.

But for now there was just the journey. But soon. Soon her skull shall belong to me.
	
> The Injured And The Dead
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hummed to myself as I headed towards that little town, my entire body filled with excitement. This was it! Such a thrilling hunt this entire thing has turned out to be, if quite annoying. Still, everything must come to an end.

Like her life.

I gave a grin, clenching my fists. She would finally be dead! Sure this isn't my longest hunt, nowhere near it in fact, but I've had such fun! The filth screaming, the blood spilling from the cowards, the innards torn from the scum. 

Such is the way of life. Only the strong shall prosper and weak shall shrivel away. The perfect ideology. Survival of the fittest. And I'm the strongest, which means all other life is beneath me!

A vicious laugh slipped out of my mouth. This was going to be fun. Of course you can't have fun without a little bloodshed. Heh, those peasants are going to scream for mercy. And they'll find none, filth like them don't deserve any!

I'll kill them all! I began snarling. They don't deserve to live! Maybe I'll burn them to the ground! Let's see how much they praise life then!

I glared at the pathetic town. I couldn't even manoeuvre at my best due to the low buildings! Still...the hunt continues regardless. Hmm. That forest looks like it had potential for a living space. I shook my head, not the time. I'll wait until night falls before I approach the town. I chuckled. Then I'll kill her and take her head as a trophy. I sighed happily, oh, what a wonderful night it shall be.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I snuck through the town, keeping to the dark. While I could take the entire town out if I so wished, I felt I should start getting back into shape with my stealth. Never know when it'll be useful.

Back when I first arrived I had to make use of stealth as those cursed magic users focused more on combat magic rather than the useless magic studied these days, guess that makes the peasants of old slightly less pathetic. Still pathetic though. 

Hmm. Speaking of magic I wonder if the Dark Lords of Argoth ever got anywhere with their studies? Dark power, like the kind they were researching, could be useful to me. Especially if I ever have to go up against one of those two overpowered Alicorns. Still, carrying about such dark artifacts would also make it easier to track me. I'll give it more thought later.

I froze as I heard voices approaching. I stayed perfectly still, it was dark enough to not be seen if I didn't move too much. Several minutes passed until the source of the voices passed me by. One of which was a grey pegasus with wonky golden eyes. For some strange reason, as I laid my eyes on her I felt something in my mind try to think something nice about her. I grunted and shook my head. I'd dealt with enough creatures with the same kind of influence to know to let this one live, lest I lose my mind.

She and the other one passed and my mind returned to normal. Okay, so avoid that one. Don't need to be thinking like that again. I learned long ago to not attack creatures that can manipulate minds simply by being in the same area as them. It never ends well when you attack them. Never.

I eventually made it to a large crystalline tree. Seems just like the kind of place my target would be. I climbed around it, looking for an entrance. It seemed that the only way in would be the front door. But it was blocked by two, heh, meal boxes, talking to each other about the most useless things. 

I crawled down the tree as the two guards standing in front of the door continued their incessant prattling. I ignored their pathetic gibbering and with a grin I raised my two uppermost legs and forced them down through their skulls before hauling them up into the top of the tree and having a little snack.

After I'd finished snacking I climbed down the tree again and looked for an opening. I finally found one, a gap near the top of the structure. I managed to squeeze my way in, though my sides suffered some superficial cuts.

Once I was inside I stuck to the ceiling. I withheld a growl as the interior was the same crystalline as the outside. Now I was inside, I just need to find the target.

I crawled along, making sure to avoid any guards that patrolled the halls. As I was passing a window I glanced outside and saw the rising sun. I needed to find a place to hide until nightfall. I looked around the ceiling area, I didn't want to be found earlier than I wanted and people, even these sub-people and freaks, rarely look up. 

After a few minutes of searching I found something that would do. A hole near the ceiling above a window, large enough for me to fit in and out of the way to avoid suspicion. I pulled myself into the hole as the sun began to rise higher into the sky. Now to play the waiting game.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Deep in Canterlot Castle, behind the soundproof walls of the operating room, loud and terrible screaming shook the walls.

"For the love of Faust, somepony shut her up!" Doctor Wisdom yelled.

"MY LEGS!!! MAKE IT STOP!!! HELP ME!!!" The screaming continued from the legless mare with a collar sewn into her neck. The lone survivor of the earlier attack in the city. "STOP THE PAIN!!! LET ME GO!!!"

The second Doctor, Precise Scalpel, lit up his horn and hit the screaming mare with a 'Sleep' spell. "There. She should be out for a few hours."

"Finally." Wisdom muttered.

While being Canterlot's top Doctors the two could not be more different. Wisdom had always had things handed to him and had an easy life, being born to a high noble family. While he was one of Canterlot's top Doctors he only ever took well paying jobs that involved the Canterlot Elite. And he never took jobs from those he considered 'common folk'. 

Precise Scalpel on the other hand had been born to a family of farmers in Trottingham. After becoming a Doctor he never forgot his roots and regularly did work for free for those that could not afford it. After moving to Canterlot he gained infamy by not playing favourites to the nobility and not getting involved in the politics of the city. He was known for his willingness to lend his ear and his ferociousness when dealing with injustice and those that looked down on others.

They were almost the opposite of each other, from opposite ends of life. So, naturally, they hated each other.

Scalpel frowned slightly, "You could show a little respect."

Wisdom sneered, "Why should I?" He began working on stopping the bleeding from the place the patient's left hind leg used to be. "She's a commoner." He spoke the word as if it was poison. "The only reason I'm here is because the Princess asked me to help."

Scalpel held back his disgust of the stallion. "You're only here to improve your reputation. Why am I not surprised? And Princess Celestia asked."

Wisdom snorted, "She's the only real Princess. I don't know why they didn't send Nightmare Moon to the dungeon."

Scalpel quashed the urge to deck Wisdom in the face. He was used to his old fighting instincts from his teenage days popping up around Wisdom (especially around Wisdom) and the other self-centred ponies around Canterlot, but he almost gave in to them when he heard the insult directed at Princess Luna. So to distract himself he took up another teenage instinct. Aggravating the high class.

"Well, I suppose for a noble actually thinking is hard enough without adding more complications to the mix like, say, talking at the same time. Actually that'd explain a lot."

As Wisdom's jaw tightened the guards by the door exchanged weary glances. This was the exact reason they were there, Wisdom and Scalpel couldn't be in the same room without getting into some kind of verbal spat. While it hadn't descended into violence yet, it was only a matter of time until it did.

"And I'd watch what you're saying about Princess Luna if I was you. Who knows what Celestia will do when she hears."

Wisdom sneered again, "And just who exactly is going to tell her? You?"

Scalpel shook his head, "Not me. She has eyes and ears everywhere. Like those guards."

"Those guards are commoners, just like you and this waste of space. Who's she going to believe? A pathetic commoner or a high class Doctor?"

Scalpel saw one of the guards get riled up at that and signaled for her to calm down. "Say, Wisdom." Scalpel grinned. "Do you like apples?"

Wisdom glanced up for a second. "Apples? I...suppose I don't mind them. Why?"

"Because while your family and the rest of the useless nobles are sitting on their flanks complaining about not getting what they want, when they want it, those 'commoner' guards are passing a bill that'll get all the nobles not doing anything useful forcibly drafted into the guards and trained." Scalpel grinned as Wisdom's jaw dropped. "How'd you like them apples?" Scalpel was making it all up, of course, but he reasoned that Wisdom didn't need to know that. 

One of the guards cleared his throat. "Focus on your patient." He stated, hiding a smile.

"Fine." Wisdom muttered. "I'll work on the wretch."

"She has a name." Scalpel growled.

"Yes. Worthless Space." Wisdom smirked.

"Her name is Blazing Sapphire. Do not forget that, Wisdom." Scalpel snarled.

Wisdom just scoffed and moved up to the neck of Blazing and lit up his horn. 

Scalpel noticed just in time. "The collar is interwoven into her neck, you moron!" He yelled, slapping the Wisdom's horn as he was about to try and pull the thread out, forcibly cancelling the spell. "Why don't you go play in traffic while I actually try to save her life?!"

"How dare you speak to me like that!!" Wisdom snapped. "I've been operating for years!"

"Then it's a miracle any of your patients survived, you inept fool! You may think you're so great, but this is someone's life! Not a way of improving your social standing!"

Wisdom shoved Scalpel away from the patient. "There something you want to say, street brat?!"

Scalpel glared at him, "Oh, I want to say many things. But there are bigger things than your pride at stake here. Get out of my face."

Wisdom snarled, "Don't you dare talk to me like that, you pathetic, low class, scum!"

Scalpel paused before turning to Wisdom. "Actually, yes. I do have something to say to you."

Wisdom sneered, "And what's that, brat?"

Scalpel smiled, "Say hello to Nurse Hope for me." Before Wisdom could reply Scalpel smashed his hoof into his face. Wisdom fell to the floor whimpering and holding his heavily bleeding snout and Scalpel turned to one of the guards by the door, "If you could be so kind as to take him away, I would like to continue to try and save my patient's life."

He turned back to the unconscious mare. "Damn that felt good."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hours later Precise Scalpel exited the operating room and sighed. All was not well. Despite all his best attempts all he had been able to do was stop the blood and ease Blazing Sapphire's pain.

He looked up as Princess Celestia approached him. "How is she?" She asked hopefully.

Scalpel sighed again, "There's nothing more I can do. She might survive for another week or so. But...not for much longer than that."

Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, "Isn't there anything you can do? Anything at all?"

Scalpel looked away, "I...may know someone that can help. But...she isn't exactly...friendly. Or nice. Or willing to help without something being done for her in return." A thought occurred to him, "Maybe I could offer her...hmm...no, that's...but...yes. For the patient, yes, I'll do it."

"Do what?" Celestia questioned.

"It doesn't matter. I don't suppose you send mail instantly, can you?" He asked, hoping those certain rumours to be true.

Celestia nodded, "Yes, but you aren't going to do anything rash are you?"

Scalpel shook his head, "No, it's...I'm not going to do anything rash, Celestia." He then added quietly, "Her on the other hoof..."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Out of my way, hornhead!" A black and white Griffin with a metal wing and several large bags on her yelled as she flew through the streets of Canterlot, ponies just barely avoiding her as she made her way to the castle.

As soon as she had received the letter from Scalpel she had packed what she needed and flew as fast as she could for Canterlot. Luckily she lived relatively close.

As she approached the castle doors one of the two guards on duty blocked her path. "Halt!" He demanded. 

The Griffin snorted, "Yeah, no."

The guard was about to continue when his partner cut in. "She's the one we were told about. Black and white Griffin, metal wing, rude." He turned his attention to the Griffin. "The medical-"

"I know where it is!" She growled. "Get out of my way!" She dashed past the guards and into the castle.

The first guard snorted and turned to his partner, "Yep. Definitely rude."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Who let the dirty animal in?" Blueblood sneered as the Griffin passed by, going nowhere near as fast as she had through the city. She paused, backed up and glared at Blueblood, her icy blue eyes showing little more than irritation. "What are you looking at, you plebeian?"

She punched Blueblood in the face, flooring him before giving him a few vicious kicks to the ribs, after which she went on her way. 

After the small confrontation with Blueblood the Griffin quickly made her way to the medical wing, where Princess Celestia and Precise Scalpel were waiting.

"Scalpel." The Griffin grinned. "How's the flank?"

Scalpel's face flushed red as he groaned. "None of your business." He caught sight of Celestia giving him a knowing look. "No, Celestia. Just...no. She got me kicked in the flank by another Griffin."

The Griffin snorted, "Yeah, kicked. With her claws. Then she groped them and you made those adorable-"

"Anyway!" Scalpel yelled to avoid his further embarrassment. "Introduce yourself so I know what you're going by this time."

"Call me Griffin." She grunted.

"A Griffin called Griffin. How inspired." Celestia drawled.

"Oh, look, a bitch who doesn't know anything useful, how worthless." Griffin snapped.

Celestia blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

Griffin sneered, "Unless you know anything about bioengineering, the effects of mechanical prosthetics on flesh or how to merge flesh, nerves and metal, shut up." She snarled. “I really can’t be bothered to deal with uneducated idiots.”

Scalpel sighed, "I'm sorry, Celestia, she can be quite rude at times, but the fact that she's a genius in her field usually makes up for it." He decided to leave out the fact that she was just as perverted as she was rude, after all she didn't come because he'd asked nicely.

"Griffin." Scalpel said slowly. "We...need your help."

"I read the letter." She butted in. "I know what I'm here for. I know what I'm getting for it. What I don't know is why you care so much."

"She's my patient, that makes me responsible for her wellbeing." Scalpel replied.

"What a load of crap." Griffin muttered. "You wouldn't call me in unless it was for a good reason, PS. Why?" Scalpel looked away.

"Scalpel?" Celestia asked.

"My reasons are my own." He stated in a serious tone. "You're getting what you want out of this, just do your job."

Griffin laughed, "Not until you spill. She could die for all I care."

Scalpel shrunk and gave her the biggest, saddest look he could. "Please?"

Griffin sighed, "Alright, alright. I'll do it, just put the damn puppy eyes away." She groaned, "You guys owe me big time for this." She turned and glared at Celestia. "But this is the only time I'm doing this. I don't care if the world's going to end if I don't, but I am not doing this to anyone else."

Celestia looked at the Griffin confused. "Why? If we can-"

"I said NO!" She yelled. "If you want me to even help this one you'll leave me alone after this!"

"Make me strong." Blazing Sapphire said weakly, startling all but the Griffin. "Make...make me able to fight that thing!" She gritted her teeth, "I want that thing to suffer for what it did to me!" The Griffin began grinning as she continued. "I want it dead!"

Celestia stared in shock as the Griffin began laughing loudly, "That's the kind of talk I like!" She ruffled Blazing's mane. "Don't worry, by the time I'm done you'll be able to go up against whatever it was that did this to you. But, uh, heh." She gave a sadistic grin. "This is going to hurt. A lot."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The moon was high in the sky by the time I crawled out of the hole. Time to end this hunt. For I am the hunter. And all life is my prey.

I stuck to the ceiling as I crawled down the halls, the filth walking around beneath me. It was sickening how they thought they were worthy of living, how they thought they could live. The scum of the planet. The fools had no idea of their own pathetic ant-like existence.

Of course it was only a matter of time until one of them looked up. It was a maid. As soon as I heard the beginnings of a scream I dived from the ceiling, crushing the wench into mush.

I glared at the freaks staring at me, frozen in place. Well, that's no fun. I let loose a loud roar, shaking them and causing the crowd to scatter, screaming.

I grinned. Perfect. Now to find some victims. I stalked the halls, occasionally smashing up a painting or window, 

It wasn't long until a little fake guard ran towards me, a unicorn, white coat and hair two shades of blue. It was wearing...unique armour, more customised. I scoffed, yes, like armour will stop me from ripping your damn head off.

"Surrender, beast!" He cried. "I will not allow you to harm my-" I smacked him into the wall where he fell to the ground and fell silent. I snorted. Useless.

Another waste of space ran towards me with a spear, roaring. I gave a laugh as I wrenched the spear away as soon as it was in range, I followed up by ripping her head off, her spine coming with it.

I spotted another two guards rushing towards me and flicked the spine like a whip, wrapping it around the nearest guard's neck and pulled, the guard's neck snapped with a satisfying crack and his body was added to the others littering the halls.

I dropped the spine and grabbed the remaining guard and punched into her side and tore a few ribs out before stabbing them into her head. Her tongue lagged out of her mouth and her eyes gave a vacant expression as the blood poured from her head. I grinned as I shoved my hand into her chest and wrenched out her heart. She fell to the floor almost instantly. Before I moved on I opened her mouth and placed her heart inside.

I continued down the hall until a guard ran into me. Literally. I grabbed the guard and tore its helmet off before tearing one of its eyes out. I laughed as the guard began screaming. Huh. I didn't think a male could reach notes that high.

I stumbled as I was blasted in the back. I turned and spotted the offending freak down the hall. I didn't feel like leaving the one eyed screamer just yet so I picked up his spear and threw it down the hall into the bastard's throat.

I turned back to my latest victim. He was sobbing on the ground and clutching his empty eye socket. Like a little bitch. I giggled as I ripped off one of his ears, eliciting a loud scream. I gave him a punch to the face before flipping him on his back. I grinned as I cut him underbelly open with a finger. I swear his screams shook the halls! With a smile I began to poke around inside him, grabbing the odd organ and ripping it out, his remaining eye following me.

I made sure he was looking as I ripped out a kidney and began to eat it. While I prefer brains, other organs can also be quite enjoyable to eat, though sometimes they taste wrong, which is why I don't tend to eat them. 

I grabbed a spear from the ground and impaled the shaft into the wall. I then picked up the bloody wreck and shoved him through the spear. I then impaled the flesh of his underbelly to the wall with two swords. Feeling a little merciful I slit his throat as I moved on. 

After that I decided to start pinning my victims to the walls. A body with no eyes here, a body with its face smashed into pulp there. I even ripped the wings off of a pegasus and forced them into the back of a unicorn, creating a perverse mockery of an Alicorn. Heh, like they weren't big enough freaks already.

After finishing my art I grabbed the last alive guards and opened the next door in style.

The door splintered into bits as the guard's body crashed through it, her head turning into mush as she connected to a wall.

As I stepped into the room I caught sight of my target surrounded by maids. Finally! I grabbed a nearby maid and crushed the head in my hands before throwing the corpse at the Princess's hooves. She scampered backwards into another hallway. "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!" She screamed. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!"

A guard come rushing through a door next to me. "Don't worry, Princess! I'll stop-!" I cut her off by chomping through her skull. Mmm! Tastes sweet!

The target ran away as two more guards took her place. After ripping through them I turned the corner and spotted my target just in time to get an eyeful of magic. I screeched and reeled backwards clutching the injury.

I looked back to the corridor just in time to see a guard charge me. I ripped the maggot in two. and threw the remains at his little friend crushing her against a wall. That little bitch! She thinks she can run from me?! I let off a roar, my rage empowering me. NO MORE GAMES!!! IT ENDS NOW!!! I smashed my way through a door, only to find my target surrounded by another twenty unicorns. All with their horns lit. Oh, bollocks.

"FIRE!!!" The target screamed and a volley of spells flew into me. Pain flared up as I was thrown backwards, occasional small burns or shocks from elemental spells. 

I forced myself to my feet, snarling as I dashed towards the group, twitching as the electricity caused my muscles to randomly spasm. A growl started to grow in my throat as I shrugged off the spells thrown at me. I grabbed a unicorn by the throat and swung it around like a rag doll, knocking down the majority of the group. I then tore off two legs and used them as clubs, bashing in the heads of the remaining group. 

I dropped the torn up limbs and grabbed the last unicorn by the throat. My target had disappeared after the first volley of spells. I snarled and tore off its horn. I bathed in the screams of pain before I sunk the horn into the guard's throat and ripped off her head. As I dropped her body I was sent stumbling as I was hit in the back.

I turned and growled, my target was stood there with her horn glowing. I glared at the target. I won't lose to this filth! She should be grovelling at my feet! I threw a dead guard's head at her. She squealed as blood from it splattered over her. Get. Over. Here. Bitch.  As she ran I let out a roar. I was sick and tired of this! Just DIE ALREADY!!!

I gave chase, tearing through the odd guard, but they were nowhere near as frequent as they were when I started my attack. After a few minutes I finally cornered her in a dead end corridor. She cowered at the end as I slowly crept towards her. While I was still some distance away, fatigue finally catching up on me, she lit up her horn. I prepared to dodge her attack when she fired it above my head.

I looked up to make sure nothing was wrong. Nothing. I snorted and was about to continue playing with her when there was a mighty cracking sound above me. I looked up and froze as I saw the ceiling above me begin to fall. Bitch. I ran towards the target, the ceiling falling just behind me. YOU DIE NOW!!! I could feel rubble landing just behind me as I leapt towards the target, mouth open for the kill. Trophies don't matter anymore, I just want her dead!

I snapped my jaw shut. But instead of tasting delicious flesh they closed on air. The target had disappeared in a purple flash at the last possible moment. I let out an an angry, feral roar as I was engulfed by falling rubble.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


In the early hours of the morning Princess Twilight Sparkle was sat, constantly shivering, behind most of the remaining guards in the barracks. While she was sure the monster was dead, she found comfort in the guards after the night of horrors that had just passed.

As the hours passed she slowly regained her composure and confidence. She slowly stopped shivering and began trying to figure out just how many guards had the monster had killed.

The door suddenly burst open, the guards readied their weapons but then lowered them when they saw it was another guard sprinting to the Princess.

"P-Princess!" The guard gasped.

Twilight looked towards her, smiling, glad the threat to her life and the citizens of Equestria was finally gone. "Yes?"

The guard was shaking, "We...we searched the debris and we found your brother, he's injured but alive, but..."

"But?" Twilight pressed.

"The beast. It's...it's not there!" The guard cried.

Twilight stared, a sick feeling spreading through the pit of her stomach. "What?"
> Blazing Rage
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I dragged myself away from the town, blood pouring down my body and face. My middle right leg, upper left leg, human left leg and right arm were all mangled. D...damn...her. D...damn them...them a...all.

It took nearly an hour but I managed to drag myself into the forest, getting to a safer place but leaving a large blood trail. I kept blacking out at intervals but I finally made it deep enough into the forest that I felt I could finally sleep.

I awoke to a web and thousands of spiders of all species crawling around me. A rare smile graced my face, my kin always had that reaction from me. I tried to stand and winced as pain shot through my body. 

I growled. That bitch! She hurt me! She humiliated me! I shook with rage. No longer did I merely want to kill her. No. She must be made an example of. She'll wish I'd have killed her earlier. 

But, for now, I need rest.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Princess Celestia and Precise Scalpel exchanged worried looks as they looked over Blazing Sapphire's training.

"I don't like this." Celestia shook her head.

"Me neither." Scalpel agreed. "She's pushing herself too hard. The implants still need time to fully...uh..." He lost the word he was looking for. He blinked hard and shook his head, shaking off the tiredness that was threatening to overcome him. "Need time to fully adapt to her body." Celestia gave him a concerned look. "I'm fine, just...haven't been able to sleep lately. I'll be fine."

"If you're sure." Celestia turned her attention back to Blazing. "I wasn't talking about her implants though. This training she's doing...this obsession she's developed with the Spider. It isn't healthy."

"But it is useful." Griffin commented as she landed next to them. "You want that spider thing dead. She wants to kill the spider, problem solved."

"Griffin, that isn't the problem." Celestia said. "Her mind is. She isn't thinking straight."

Griffin laughed. "Good! Thinking straight isn't useful for things like this. In a fight you need to rely on instincts and the environment. She'll be able to do that." She shook her head and directed a predatory grin at Scalpel. "Now, about my pay."

Scalpel sighed. "Fine. We'll do it tonight. Just...let me get some rest first."

Griffin rubbed her claws together, "And I'll get the toys!" She then flew off with a glint in her eye.

Celestia gave Scalpel a worried look, "Are you sure you're okay with doing that with her? It seems like she's forcing you into it."

Scalpel sighed, "That was the deal, Celestia. She saves Blazing with her cybernetics and I have sex with her, something that she's wanted for a long time." He gave a small smile, "Besides I've kind of been wondering what it's like with a Griffin. The rumours make it sound quite...enticing."

"How did you even meet her? She's selfish, mean, annoying and downright violent."

Scalpel gave a small, soft smile. "Would you believe that she saved my life?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Blazing's training continued to increase her speed and proficiency with her cybernetic limbs. She soon became an interest to those living outside the castle, those unaware of her 'improvements'. Unknown to her she was quickly becoming popular around Equestria, everyone wanting a glimpse of her, and the story of how she survived, Griffin's cybernetics being kept secret as was one of the terms of her agreement to help Blazing.

As she trained her only thoughts were of revenge. Of how she would make the beast that caused her such pain to suffer. Such thoughts consumed her mind further the more she trained.

The months passed and Blazing continued in her single minded determinedness to train and practice. Every day was training on the Royal Guard's training grounds, with the occasional forced break. All until a day nearly six months after the attack on Canterlot. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The sun was shining high in the sky and a crisp chill in the air reminded everyone that it was autumn. Most in Equestria were relaxing or spending time working. Blazing Sapphire was not one of these people.

She let out an animalistic snarl as she snapped a dummy in half. "Give me something tougher!" She snapped. As two ponies scampered about dragging a large shield over she began pacing. "Come, on, come on!" She yelled.

As soon as the shield was ready she began pounding into it with vigor. After beating it into a scrap of twisted metal a guard approached her and cleared her throat.

"What is it?" Blazing muttered, wiping sweat from her brow as the same two ponies dragged the beaten down shield away.

"Princess Celestia wishes to speak to you as soon as possible." The guard said before leaving and continuing her duties.

Blazing gave an annoyed groan. "She better not take up too much of my time." She made her way from the grounds to the throne room, finding and knocking out Blueblood along the way. 

Blazing shoved passed the guards outside the throne room doors and burst into the room. "Celestia." She grunted. "What do you want?"

"Blazing." Celestia said politely. "We need to talk about this...obsession you have with the Spider."

Blazing scoffed, "The Spider? That's what you're calling it?"

Celestia sighed, "What's wrong with calling it that?"

The doors to the throne room opened. "Nothing, it's real cute." Griffin snickered. "It must have took all of your one brain cell to come up with it."

"Griffin." Celestia growled. "What do you want? This is a private meeting."

Griffin gave a grin, "Really? Well, you better make sure no one else enters then."

"GRIFFIN!" Celestia yelled.

"Yes, dear?" Griffin said innocently, looking up.

Celestia let out a growl. "Get. Out."

"Wow. You're really not nice!" Griffin laughed.

"GET OUT!!!" Celestia yelled.

"Alright, alright, I'm gone. Man, don't be such a brat." Griffin approached the door, turning around at the last second. "Oh, kid? I'd say that you're about ready to fight that thing." She then left the room. 

"You heard her! I'm ready!" Blazing pounded her front hooves together. "Let me search for it."

"No. Absolutely not!" Celestia said sternly.

Blazing roared as she smashed her hoof through a wall. "Let me search for that freak already!"

"You are not going after the beast!" Celestia scolded.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did your legs get ripped off? No? Then back off!" Blazing snarled. "Why should it wander free?! It'll kill anyone it comes across, you know it! You'll leave them to die?!"

"ENOUGH!!!" Celestia boomed. "LISTEN TO ME, BLAZING!!! I AM NOT YOUR ENEMY!!! I AM NOT TRYING TO ANTAGONIZE YOU!!!" She lowered her voice to a soft, caring tone. "I'm trying to protect you."

Blazing lowered her gaze to the ground. "...I don't need protecting." She muttered before turning around and walking off. "Not any more."

"Blazing." Celestia called out. "That thing can tear through my guards like it's nothing. If..." She paused. "If you can pass a...a challenge then...I suppose you could be specially trained to fight it."

A grin slowly spread across Blazing's face. "When?"

"Tomorrow. I...I need to arrange some things."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The next day found Blazing and Celestia standing in the training grounds, a small, circular arena had been formed overnight.

 "Are you sure you want to do this?" Celestia asked carefully, not wanting to kickstart Blazing's anger right before a fight.

Blazing nodded excitedly, "Oh, yeah! I need to prove myself, Celestia. You said he's your best fighter in the Guards, right?"

"Well, there's some debate over Bronze Sword or Shining Armor, but since he's now up in the Crystal Empire we don't know for certain."

"Then let's get this thing started." Blazing growled, walking into the ring. 

"Watch your tone around the Princess." A blue coated unicorn with a sword Cutie Mark said as he walked up to Blazing.

Blazing laughed, "Whatever, where's this Sword guy then?"

"Somewhere around four steps in front of you." Celestia said with a small grin before leaving and taking her place outside the ring.

Blazing blinked, turning to the stallion. "You? You're the best fighter?!"

Bronze Sword smirked, "I'm tougher than I look."

Blazing snorted, "Sure, like I care. Let's get this started already."

He nodded, taking his place opposite her, "Fair enough."

"The rules are simple," Celestia announced. "You win by getting your opponent to give up, either vocally or by tapping the ground three times or by knocking them out. There shall be no eye gouging, mane or tail pulling or groin smashing. This is going to be a clean fight." There was a tense pause. "You may begin when ready."

Blazing glared at the Bronze Sword as they circled one another. "What are you waiting for?"

"I don't fight civilians." Bronze Sword said.

"What? Too scared? Don't worry, I'll send you flowers in the hospital." Blazing mocked.

He frowned, "Guess I can make an exception."

Bronze Sword dashed forwards with the intent of ending the fight before it could really begin. He let loose an uppercut, only for Blazing to block it with her foreleg, sending a dull pain through Bronze's leg. She retaliated with a headbutt, knocking Bronze back.

"Come get some, soldier boy!" Blazing yelled, pounding her two front hooves together.

Bronze went on the offensive, throwing a number of blows against Blazing, but she easily dodged and blocked them.

"Come on!" Blazing taunted while ducking beneath a blow aimed for her head. "Is that all you have?" Blasts of magic were sidestepped. Bucks were dodged.

Bronze Sword eventually slipped past her guard and landed a blow to her face. Blazing stumbled back before looking up at Bronze with a bloody toothed grin and spat blood on the ground, "Finally."

Blazing went on the offensive, the first blow of the fight ending her fun in toying around. She dashed in and landed a blow across Bronze Sword's face, sending him reeling. Blazing didn't let up for a moment, sending attacks left, right and centre.

Bronze finally managed to get some distance, blood dripping down his face. His eyes widened as he saw Blazing rushing towards him again. His horn lit up and a small bubble shield overestimate him a second before Blazing slammed into in.

Shaking her head she began pounding away at the dome. "You know, I never pegged you for a coward." She grinned as Bronze shook as the effort to maintain the shield grew.

"And you..." He muttered, sweat pouring from his face. "Didn't...have to go...all out."

Blazing paused for a second. "All out? I'm taking this, well, not easy, but I'm not really pushing myself too much."

"What?" Bronze squeaked before Blazing continued her assault. 

Blazing slammed her hooves against the shield again and again, causing it to start cracking. Bronze Sword stumbled slightly, sweat pouring heavily down his face. As the shield finally shattered he fell before recovering and beginning to back away. Not giving him time to collect his thoughts Blazing rushed forewords and landed a powerful uppercut to his jaw, knocking Bronze on his back. 

As he landed Blazing didn't see Bronze Sword, she saw the Spider. She saw the cause of her pain and suffering. She saw a true monster. Her world turned red as she dived on him and began pounding her hooves into his face again and again and again, blood splattering against her coat and covering her hooves. 

Blazing!" Celestia yelled. "That is enough!"

Blazing blinked and stopped. She stared down at Bronze Sword, her vision clearing up, then back up to her bloody hooves. "No. No, no, no, no, no." She muttered, backing away quickly. "I-I-I didn't mean...no, no, no!"

Bronze gave a weak splutter. His face was bloody, the bone shattered to pieces, his lower jaw was at an odd angle.

Blazing just stared at what she had done as Celestia rushed past her, grabbing Bronze Sword and hurriedly carrying him to the castle's Doctors.

Blazing just stared at her hooves, blood slowly dripping from them. "I...I didn't..." Anger flooded her mind. "No! It's not my fault! That spider freak! If it wasn't for that thing...! I'm going to kill it. I swear it. I swear it!"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"I BESTED YOUR GUARD!!! YOU SAID YOU'D TRAIN ME TO FIGHT IT!!!" Blazing roared as she stood in front of Celestia. The throne room was empty save for the two and a few guards.

"That was before you put Bronze in the hospital! You were out of control!" Celestia growled.

"I was fighting!" She ignored the fact that she cringed internally. "Admit it! You never had any intention of training me!" Blazing snarled. "You saw how strong I am! I can take it!"

"No, you can't!" Celestia yelled. "Only Luna or I can!"

Blazing glared at her, "So that's it, huh?! No one else is worthy enough?! Or do you just want the glory all to yourself?!"

"I want it gone too, Blazing!" Celestia snapped. "I want it out of my life!" She took a deep breath. "But you...you need to relax. Get out of Canterlot for a while. The forest around Foal Mountain are good for clearing the mind, take some guards with you tomorrow and go there." She paused. "And Griffin. Take her too."

Blazing glared at her and was silent for several moments. "...Fine."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


As Blazing, Griffin and the guards assigned to them travelled through the woods around Foal Mountain the lead guard, a slim, red coated unicorn, began humming.

After a while Blazing got tired of it. "You hum again and I'll rip out your spine." She growled.

The guard gulped as Griffin started laughing. "Kid, chill. Stop and smell the roses every once in a while."

Blazing snorted as they came across a field of roses. "Fine." She sighed. "I just...yesterday...I..."

"Lost control." Griffin finished. "Don't worry, it happens to the best of us." She flashed a grin, "But mostly Celestia, boy the mistakes she's made!"

The lead guard grumbled, "Don't insult the Princess."

Griffin laughed, "I'll insult her all I want, guard!"

He bristled, "The name's Sweet Hope!"

Griffin blinked before giving a shit-eating grin, "Whatever you say, Sweetie."

Sweet Hope just groaned as some of the other guards snickered.

"Oh, Sweetie, usually I don't make guys groan until the third date!" Griffin chuckled. She continued relentlessly teasing Sweet Hope until his face was a deep red.

The group came across a clearing with a lake after trekking through the forest for a few hours. Griffin still teasing Sweet Hope.

"I wonder how long it'll take me to get to this sweet's creamy centre?" Griffin grinned.

Sweet Hope looked away, "Will you quit it already?"

"Sweet Hope, stop complaining, you clearly enjoy it." Blazing snapped as she took a look around. "Griffin, I thought you and Scalpel were a thing?"

Griffin shrugged, "I don't know, maybe? But if I see a cute guy I'm having his flank before Scalpel makes up his mind."

Blazing smirked, "Sounds about right."

Sweet Hope sighed, "Stop talking about me like I'm a piece of meat."

Griffin rolled her eyes, "Sure thing, Sweetie. As soon as I make you squeal."

Sweet Hope opened his mouth to reply when a roar came from the edge of the clearing. The group turned to find a snarling Manticore staring at them.

"W-what?!" Sweet Hope spluttered. "Manticores aren't meant to be around here!"

"Well, why don't you go tell it that?!" Griffin yelled as she took off. "I'll go grab Celestia! Blazing, be careful!" She paused. "And by that, of course I mean SMASH ITS HEAD IN!!!" She flew off towards Canterlot.

Blazing gulped, "Right. Fight that. Why not?"

"Don't worry, ma'am! We'll protect you!" Sweet Hope called as the guards made a wall in front of Blazing.

Only to be knocked away like toys a second later as the Manticore swiped them with its tail before setting its predatory glare on Blazing. Seeing the guards defenceless and weak reminded Blazing of when she was at the mercy of the Spider. Of when she was useless. Anger grew inside her as she stepped in front of the Manticore.

"Alright, fuzz ball, let's dance." Blazing snarled, cracking her neck. 

Blazing ducked beneath the Manticore's swipes and gave several quick jabs to the insides of its front legs. The Manticore yelped as it collapsed forwards.

"HOW'D YOU LIKE THAT, HUH?!" Blazing screamed, turning and bucking it in the face.

The Manticore howled as blood exploded from its snout. Eyes narrowing it swiped at Blazing again, this time its claws catching her across her legs. She flinched, but then realised she was in no pain. The Manticore on the other hand was howling as several of its claws had snapped against Blazing's metal limbs.

While the Manticore was preoccupied with its claws Blazing checked her legs and found they hadn't even been scratched. "Just what are these things made of?" She muttered before shaking her head and getting back to the fight.

Blazing leaped towards the still distracted Manticore and slammed her hoof into its cranium with a dull ringing sound. The Manticore, stunned by the blow, swayed from side to side.

Blazing gave off a roar and delivered a powerful uppercut to the beast's jaw, smashing the bone apart, blood and shards of bone flying from its mouth as the Manicore was flipped on its back. Not giving it time to recover Blazing grabbed its tail and ripped it off, eliciting a high-pitched squeal as blood spurted from the stump. Blazing leapt up in the air and brought the stinger of the tail down into the Manticore's chest before tearing the tail down, creating a gaping wound that exposed its organs to the world.  Blood oozed from the wound as she threw away the tail and let loose a flurry of punches to the beast's organs, quickly liquefying them. She continued to pound the beast, long after was necessary, blood covering her forelegs and splattered over the rest of her body. With a final roar she grabbed its spine and tore it out.

Blazing stumbled back with the spine in a hoof, panting heavily. As she calmed she realised what she had done to the Manticore, it's dead body surrounded by a pool of its own blood. "Oh...sweet Faust..." She muttered. "That was...that was amazing!" She giggled. "If I can do that to a Manticore, then...that spider freak won't stand a chance!"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"No. You are not going after it!" Celestia snapped, instantly shooting down the proposition Blazing had offered as soon as she and Griffin had arrived.

"Why not?!" Blazing yelled. "You saw what I did to that Manticore!"

"Let go of this revenge fantasy, Blazing Sapphire!" Celestia demanded as she tended to the unconscious guards.

"Why shouldn't she get revenge?" Griffin quipped.

"You know full well why!" Celestia growled, the tension that had been growing between herself and Griffin reaching breaking point. 

"Oh, just let her let off some steam!"

"You know, I'm starting to realise why you have no friends." Celestia said, narrowing her eyes.

Griffin snorted, "Friends are a waste of both space and time. You can only rely on yourself and that one other in the world you really connect with." She grinned. "I found my other, can you say the same?"

"If you believe that it's no wonder you're so jaded and selfish!" Celestia yelled, ignoring the question.

"I may be selfish, but at least I'm not ignorant to the rest of the world!" Griffin snapped. "Not all of your ponies are perfect, you idiotic buffoon!"

"My ponies may not be perfect, but they're more well behaved than you!"

"Oh, open your eyes, Celestia! Your precious ponies are bigoted morons! They hate and fear anything new or different!"

"At least they're not a group of warmongering bandits and murderers!" Celestia growled.

Griffin gave a short, hard laugh, "Oh, now you're insulting my people?" Her eyes hardened. "Bitch, you don't get to talk trash about my people. Not after the crap you've put us through!" Griffin paused and smirked. "Tell me one thing you've done to benefit the world, not just your ponies!"

"I raise and lower the sun every day! I made it so Discord was reformed! I formed the Council of Leadership! I did everything a good leader should!"

"You may be a Princess but you better damn well stop pretending to be a leader! You're a freak, Celestia! Everything special about you came from a genetic anomaly!" Griffin growled darkly.

Celestia shoved Griffin back, "And I suppose you're much better suited for the job, right?" She spat.

Griffin chuckled bitterly, "I'm not going around pretending to be a goddess! You think you're special because you can move the sun?! Newsflash! Others have done it before you and will do so after you die!"

"I have brought about an age of peace for my ponies! What have you done but hide away from the world?!

Griffin bristled, "I have been making technological advancements that will still be used long after I'm gone! Meanwhile you shall fade into myth like the relic you are, fatty."

Celestia let out a low growl, "Don't push me, Griffin!"

Griffin gave a cocky grin, "Nah, I think I will push you, you great, fat sunbutt!" She mocked. "I'm not afraid of you, you're nothing but a bag of hot air!"

Celestia got in Griffin's face, snarling. "Oh, really? Then what are you..." She trailed off as she realised the two of them were alone. "W-where did Blazing go?!"

Griffin gave a small smirk and whispered, "Good luck, kiddo."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I glared at the town, the stone walls that had been erected in the six months since my failed attack on my target, the guard increase that had appeared after my failed hunt, the patrols that constantly went around the town. But now I'm finally fully healed she'll pay! She'll pay with her life!

"You!" Someone behind me growled. I turned and saw my pet. Ah, so she did survive! I noted the metal legs. Interesting. "I finally found you, you freak!" She glared at me with such intensity! "Now I'll kill you for what you did to me!"

I began laughing. Oh, how cute, the brat thinks she can kill her superior! How pathetic.

"Stop laughing at me, you bastard!" She yelled, swinging a hoof at me with a speed that surprised me. I quickly blocked with my arm, barely catching the blow, before shoving her back.

Well, well, well. It seems that she's grown a pair since I last saw her. ...Time to put her in her place.
	
> Toying With My Pet
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I jumped above a blow aimed at my body and replied with a soft kick to the face. My pet was so vicious! It was almost enough for me to not beat the hell out of her. Almost.

Hell, she was actually giving me a decent workout, never had that happen before. I suppose it's the metal legs, they definitely make it more...engaging. 

I gave a flurry of swipes with my claws, my pet blocking them all with her metal legs before retaliating with a flying punch to my chin. Spinning with the blow I spat blood from my mouth and gave a bloody fanged grin. Such improvement!

"DIE!!!" She roared, diving at me with murder in her eyes. I rolled away and jumped up a tree. "GET DOWN HERE AND DIE!!!"

I gave a roar and pounced down onto her. Baring my fangs I nicked the back of her head with my claws. As I was about to cut her deeper she bucked me off. I flipped in the air and landed on my secondary legs, suspending myself above the ground.

I paused, giving her an opportunity, to see what she could do. She took it, charging me and tackling me to the ground before she started pounding her hooves into my body. I grunted in pain and threw her off.

She's better than I thought. Still, she's not good enough to beat me. None of the filth out there is good enough to beat me.

But...she's different. She's...my pet. She has potential. She's mine!

I jumped to my feet and gave her an approving nod, tapping my chest with a finger. Go for the centre of mass, pet. Come on.

"STOP MOCKING ME!!!" My pet roared, charging me again. Does she really have no ideas other than charging?

I dodged her and grabbed her by the tail as she passed and yanked, sending her sprawling onto the ground. I pinned her to the ground and ran my hands over her spine as she squirmed. She's put on muscle. I lapped some of the blood from the back of her head from my earlier clawing. Mmm! Still so sweet and delicious!

"Get off OF ME!!!" She bellowed, jumping up, slamming the back of her head into my face and knocking me off her. 

I felt blood running across my lips and wiped a hand across my face. She made me bleed? In basic, unarmed combat? I started giggling. She's better than any other on this planet, myself obviously excluded.

I dashed forwards and kicked her in the face, sending her flying onto her back. I took the opportunity to leap back into a tree. I watched with a small smirk as she got back up again.

"COME OUT, COWARD!!!" She roared. "FIGHT ME, YOU FREAK!!!"

I watched as she span around, searching for me. I heard the sound of a branch snapping on the ground behind my pet, she heard it too as she span and planted her hoof straight through a stallion's head.

She froze as the body slowly slid off her leg and fell to the ground. "N...no..." She whimpered.

I dropped down from the tree and slinked up to her frozen form as the body slowly fell from her hoof. "Well done, my pet." I spoke with a hiss like whisper.