> The Hunt Is On > by Gleaming > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Starting Things Out > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue: Starting Things Out [/hr] The tranquil presence of silence entered a dimly lit room with pulled curtains and closed windows as Luna and the Canterlot Council of Representatives gathered around the roundtable to discuss tactics on how to capture one of the most wanted griffins in Equestria. “We can’t just stand idly by while griffins and our citizens alike are being murdered by her!” Luna’s hoof slammed down on the wooden table, rocking the table to its core. “Marching into Griffonia would be suicide, since we signed that peace treaty that forbids anypony from even setting hoof there,” Candlewick freed the classified documents from its sealed folder prison, holding last year’s treaty for all eyes to see. Official Equestria Treaty Documentation © The King of Griffonia and Princess Celestia have agreed to set guidelines and borders that prevent both countries from interacting with each other, neither griffins nor ponies are allowed to trade, intrude, or engage in any activities that could cause a huge rise in conflict. To better both countries, we have sworn to no longer waging war between our two countries. Sincerely, Equestrian Treaty Department “Says it here in black and white. Sorry Princess Luna, we can and will not become involved in frivolous games that could endanger our safety. Meeting adjourned,” Gable hit the wooden surface of the table with his gavel, each member along with Luna left the board room. The gentle night breeze whispered through Canterlot, a tall figure moved through the shadows painted across the capital, catching the attention of a Royal Guard scanning the area holding a flashlight under his wing. He turned the corner, keeping his eyes peeled for anything out of place. She kept herself low to the ground, sneaking up quietly behind the guard and rolled a claw under his chin before tightly grasping his head, twisting it around to the side. “Better safe than sorry,” Marina ripped a wanted poster, showing her face publicly on the front with a reward of five thousand bits for her capture. Retreating back to the shadows, she took off to the skies above and across the border between Equestria and Griffonia. [/hr] Loud screams of panic assaulted her eardrums as she stepped out of the bedroom into the castle’s main hallway in nothing but a dark blue robe and matching slippers on each hoof. “This is too early for th-” No words to describe the horror that was dead at her hooves, she squeezed through guards crowding around one of their own, deceased from severe damage to his neck and brain. “Somepony tell me what is going and I want to know now!” The guards quickly turned when they recognized who was behind them, respectfully bowing before her. “Your highness, Sharp Staff was murdered earlier this morning after you finished lowering the moon. It seems that his neck was snapped and the culprit left behind claw marks, so the other than Ursa Majors and other creatures, the one responsible would have to be…” “A griffin. Not only did they violate their own treaty, they decide to take one of our own. It’s time to take action before more extreme measures are taken, I wish to not be disturbed,” She walked down the corridor to the Lunar Guard hangout.   Luna didn’t lose a step as she made her way down the flight of stairs. Over to her right, she could make out the sound of ponies banging cider mugs together and cheering loud enough to wake Celestia out of her sleep. The packed Nocturnal Tavern was the hot spot for all thestrals to spend their nights off duty drinking or partaking in activities like throwing darts and drinking games, it took a lot of convincing to add this section of the castle below the hallway. “I won again, drink up!” Night Watch tossed a sour lemon inside the fizzy cider mug, sliding it over to Monsoon sitting at her table. She took great pleasure in watching this as Monsoon chugged the entire mug before slamming it down. “Too easy. It wasn’t even that sour,” Monsoon’s lips puckered up and his tongue licked away at the apple cider fizz under his muzzle, glaring over at Night Watch falling off her stool in a fit of laughter. “You are so lucky I’m too drunk to pummel you to the ground right now or else I’d have a dead corpse on my hooves.” “Says the guy who couldn’t even handle a jalapeno stuffed daffodil sandwich with extra swiss cheese.” Night Watch rolled off her back up on her feet, still snickering at Monsoon, “Where are Mountain Mist and Starsung?” Cheers erupted from the crowd of guards hearing the broadcast announcer tally up the final score between Canterlot’s very own Guardians against their rivals, the Manehattan Brawlers in the finals of the Super Hoofball Championship. “The final score is: Canterlot Guardians - 45 and Manehattan Brawlers - 15, here are your new Super Hoofball Champions, the Canterlot Guardians!” “This is why you should never bet on the Manehattan Brawlers, Nighty. Now pay up,” Monsoon brushed his straight blonde mane back, holding a hoof out for his payment, “Mountain and Starsung are on top of the night tower training, improving on their sniping skills.” “You win this round, Monsoon,” Night kissed the bracelet of shark teeth around her neck that she believed to be good luck, chucking a dart straight into the bullseye target’s center of four hundred points. Grabbing a hoof full of bits into a pile, dropping each bit in Monsoon’s woven bag, which he tied the rope tightly around the bag. “We should go see them after this,” Monsoon stuck his tongue out, hopping around like a giddy colt on Hearths Warming Eve morning. His eyes followed their leader and founder of the Night Guard clear her throat, the whole room stopped what they were doing to give Luna their full undivided attention. “Attention, my loyal guards, attention. Earlier this morning, one of the Royal Guards was murdered by a griffin and we speculate that the murderer is the most notorious griffin on the Most Wanted List in Equestria, Marina. Though, the king in Griffonia swore to my sister that their citizens and our own would not violate the peace treaty. I am deeply disgusted that one of their own would fly across the border dividing both Griffonia and Equestria to commit this crime.” Luna’s head swayed up and down, looking up at her tears and to her concerned guards, “Which is why, we will be going by air to Griffonia, find Marina and put her on trial for her crimes.” “She is known for the most confirmed kills in the history of Griffonia, most notably in Blackperch Creag. I’m going to need a squad comprised of the best of the best in the Lunar Guard, the names are listed as followed: Night Watch, Monsoon, Mountain Mist, Starsung, and the newest addition to the Lunar Guards’ elite squadron, Scootaloo.” All eyes were on a young mare sinking her fangs into a ripe mango, sucking the mango dry of its sweet vibrant juices. “Why are you all looking at me like that?” “That will be all, carry on with your revelry. As for my selected squad of ponies, follow me.” Luna walked out of the tavern, her squad followed behind her out the swinging wooden doors. “Princess Luna, forgive us but we have to go get Mountain Mist and Starsung really quick.” Night Watch brought up, trotting with Monsoon up the hallway stairs. “Okay but please hurry, meet us once you locate them.” Leading Scootaloo down the hallway to her private quarters, she turned the doorknob that was enveloped in her magical aura and opened the door. “Quickly, we have no time to waste!” [/hr] A shot rang out in the night sky above the night tower adjacent to the training area where two guards practiced their sniping on moving targets. The bullet tore through a red bullseye and clanged against the stone wall dividing both training areas of the two guard divisions. Mountain Mist threw her right forehoof in the air, dumping the empty magazine into a pile of used bullets next to Starsung’s hoof. “Woo hoo, that felt good. Star, pass me another magazine if you would be so kind.” Mountain pulled back on the sniper’s metal bolt, tilting the sniper down to line up her sights. “I didn’t think we should share my interest in target practice. Really wish Night and Monsoon would join us, but they missed out tonight.” Starsung dragged out a set of ammunition, passing a sniper magazine over to Mountain Mist. She slid the bullet out of the ammunition box, popped it inside the sniper and pulled the metal bolt all the way back. Taking a deep breath looking into the sniper’s scope, her right eye wandered over to her fellow guard. “Let’s have a little wager. If I make this shot, you owe me a nice full body massage after last night’s training.” “But if I win, you’ll be wearing a sexy maid outfit as my new maid. Deal?” Starsung imagined Mountain Mist in a maid outfit dusting his romance novels and serving him breakfast in bed. He snapped out of his fantasy, holding out his light grey hoof out to her as Mountain gave a quick shake before shaking her head. “It’s so on! Looks like I’ll be getting a nice massage tomorrow,” Mountain regained her focus on the moving bullseye target of a griffon, her mouth wide open and took another calm breath of fresh air. A bullet flew out the sniper’s barrel, smashing the griffin’s head into a million pieces. “Well would you look at that, I won!” Starsung groaned, banging his head against the rail on the tower. “I bet that was rigged, you cheated!” “Aw Starry, you don’t have to be a sore loser.” Mountain tickled him under his chin, finishing up the silly act and held her sniper down to the ladder. “Anypony down there?” Night Watch climbed up the ladder as Monsoon followed behind her. She moved the sniper pointed at her down, “Princess Luna has an urgent matter that she needs us to attend. Also, you missed me beat Monsoon at darts and that I bet on the Manehattan Brawlers to win tonight, biggest mistake of my life.” She rolled her eyes at Monsoon scowling at her, filled with embarrassment from losing at darts, especially to her. “That’s nothing! Starsung owes this lucky gal a nice full body massage, anyway let’s get going.” Mountain nudged Starsung in the ribs before climbing down the ladder. The four guards knocked on Luna’s door as they were pulled into the room without any time to react, the door slamming behind them. “We’re glad you four could join us. I hope that Mountain Mist and Starsung were informed of what our plan is regarding the wanted outlaw, Marina. Since we can’t simply just infiltrate Griffonia and search for her on the ground, I propose that we go by air.” Looking at each other in complete silence, puzzled to hear what Luna had to say next, Scootaloo raised her hoof high. “Princess Luna, how are we even going to get in the air without Marina or the other griffins detecting us?” “Allow me to show you,” Luna dimmed the light switch to its lowest setting as the bedroom was shrouded in darkness, she stood where her mirror was located, sending a concentrated stream of magic into the moon-shaped pendant above the mirror. The outline of the pendant glowed under clear moonlight, her mirror reclined back into the wall as an opening appeared down a flight of stone stairs. “ Princess Luna, what is even down there?” Scootaloo dropped a small stone down the stairs, continuously bouncing until only one loud thud was heard. “I assure you, Scootaloo, there is no danger down there. This is a secret passageway that I have hidden from my sister, a retired airship that hasn’t been used since the Elements of Harmony brought me back,” Luna’s body shuddered from the nightmares of Nightmare Moon, wishing to forget that remnant of her past. The Corona Horizon stood proudly above the stone ceiling, long metal chain links supporting the flagship’s weight. Big, bold golden letters spelled out ‘E.D.F.’ and one golden phoenix emblazoned across the massive blimp, jumper cables attached from the lower deck all the way up to the blimp. Formerly the flagship of the Equestrian Royal Guards, this ancient and formidable vessel has been retrofitted with fighter hangars and Dragonfire howitzers, fighter planes, also traditional weapons used by the Royal and Lunar Guards. “Whoa, that is one big ship!” Starsung marveled at Corona Horizon’s exterior, imagining what the inside of the ship looks like. He and the other guards were standing at the dock below the mighty vessel. “I know right. Let’s hope there are some rooms or comfortable living conditions for some good ol’ fashioned relaxation,” Monsoon pulled the lever closest to him as the ship lowered down to the cool waters beneath. I know I’ll catch one of these guys off guard with a prank. They all turned to Monsoon, he looked at his breastplate that showed the Lunar Guards’ royal insignia. “This mission is of the utmost importance, and I hope that all of you will take it seriously, relaxation will not be a priority. We’ll start out with a tour so all of you can get familiar and acquainted, because you will be living together in this ship until your mission is completed.” Her loyal guards did not utter a word after she was finished, Luna frowned down at them, each guard averting their eyes. “For now, we adventure on forward!” [/hr] Luna and her guards walked along the lower deck and walkway, opening the door to the inside of the ship. The ship’s main helm held a flat metal mechanism that automatically triggered the ship to move only by voice activation, magical usage, and manually pressing a hoof in the centerpiece. Over to her left and right, were the kitchen and rows of rooms that would accommodate to their liking. “This is the main room where you will monitor the skies, fuel your nourishment needs, and get to know one another. Unfortunately, I won’t be joining you on your journey to Griffonia as I can’t just leave my sister alone to do all of my royal duties.” “Aww, but I bet Equestria could survive without-” Night Watch mumbled through Mountain Mist hushing her up. “What Night Watch is trying to say, Equestria could survive but at the same time it can’t without you. So you can trust us completely on this mission, ouch!” Mountain rubbed the red mark on her left foreleg that Night Watch’s fangs left, snarling at her underhoofed tactic, who was smiling after. “Absolutely, we will get the job done your highness.” Monsoon leaped over the couch, landing softly on the cushions. Stretching his forelegs and hooves out across the arms of the couch, coughed out some air to catch his breath as Starsung plopped down on his stomach. “Star.” “Yeah?” Starsung’s flank pressed down harder on his stomach. He relished in messing with Monsoon just to push his buttons, testing to see how he would react. “Get your fat flank off of me!” Monsoon pushed his stomach up as Starsung flew off him down to the floor, rubbing his flank, and pulled him off the couch. “Anyway, we got this.” Scootaloo whipped out a pair of shades and played it cool, looking up at Luna chuckling. “Completely under control, hmm? Okay, just to let you know there is a training room, hot tubs and pool in the swimming area, and bunk beds for all of you to sleep together in. If anything goes awry or you need help, send me a letter and I’ll be here post haste.” Luna pulled the lever to the window panel, flying through the open panel. Night Watch clapped her hooves together, a smug grin edged across her face. “First things first, someone has to be the leader around here since a group can’t just blindly go into battle without direction. I’ll appoint myself as leader.” Mountain Mist cut her off, giving Night the faraway look in her eye. “With all due respect, Night, why would you think we need a leader especially someone like you?” Night Watch scoffed at her response, brushing it off like it meant nothing. “Ha-ha, you must be joking. Could there be anyone more qualified than me?” “Leaders have to prove and show that they can lead others. You can’t just automatically say that you are the leader, or is that too much for you to handle,” She stepped in front of Night Watch, looking into each others’ eyes. “Pushing my buttons can only lead a pony so far,” Night Watch reeled her hoof back, she hesitated to deliver the elbow. “Which is why I want to prove that I belong here. I’ll do whatever it takes,” Mountain closed one eye with a seductive look in the other eye, half of her eyelid shut looking up at the brash guard. Night crossed her forelegs with her eyebrow raised, pointing over to Scootaloo. “Show Scootaloo the ropes, then come and talk to me because once she is ready I’ll be testing her in the training room.” “You got it, then it will show you that both of us can hang around with the best around.” Mountain jumped next to Scootaloo, not taking her eyes off of Night Watch. “We’ll see. Until then, I’ll be taking a nap.” Night Watch turned the corner and started walking into the room filled with bunk beds. “Well that escalated quickly,” Monsoon sipped the fizzy cream soda, his back sinking lower on the velvet couch. “This is probably a bad time so I’ll just sit here and watch the skies,” He watched the skies carefully as the panels opened wide, basking in the clear white light that was followed by the bright stars sparkling. Monsoon always enjoyed watching the stars that he wished upon them for hope to guide him in the right direction. To follow in the steps that his brothers left behind, he promised to never give up when things looked rough. A virtual map showing the location of the airship and every inch of Equestria levitated over the control panel of the main helm, he jumped out of his seat as the computer generated voice started to talk. “Welcome to the Corona Horizon Automated Control Center, how may I help you?” the deep voice projected, Monsoon jumped out of his seat clutching his chest. Now I know I drank way too much cream soda, starting to see things. Monsoon let out a hearty laugh before he moved his hoof across the map, scrolling down the list of locations from Vanhoover to Neigh York. “Are there any performances tomorrow night?” “Trixie Lulamoon will be performing at the annual Firefly Festival in Vanhoover. Please, set the waypoint of the map to your destination.”   His grey hoof attached the destination waypoint directly on Vanhoover. “And away we go. I hope that will be the only thing needed,” Howling winds opened flags above the blimp as Monsoon pressed down hard on the main control, the airship was guided to the next destination by the thrusters, he felt compressed as the intense speed knocked him over the chair and into the wall. “Sweet Celestia help me, this is going to be a long trip!” Monsoon’s back slammed into the wall, groaning at the intense pain. > Firefly Festival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. The Firefly Festival [/hr] [/hr]                                           Once the airship came to a stop, Monsoon exhaled a sigh of relief after his body dropped down from its current position to the floor. “Augh! That is the last time I want to go on a road trip, time to go for a relaxing dip in the pool,” He pulled the armored breast plate away from his chest and slowly kicked off his horse shoes, yanking his black and yellow camouflaged shorts up to waist level. Galloping over to the pool where he stood at the poolside, his hooves clicking against each ceramic tile that echoed around him. Wide eyes followed every corner of the room as his hooves climbed the tall diving board once he looked back to see how high he was. “Good heavens! I’ve never been this high since my first day of Night Guard flight training, and I only had to test my speed from a high altitude,” Monsoon’s hooves bounced up and down on the diving board to freefall into the reflective pool below. His wings aided him for an extra pickup in speed, circling around, and took a quick nose dive, warm water flowed through the pool vents. “Ah yes, that just takes the load off,” Monsoon sunk even lower in the pool as both of his wings spread out on the water, paddling his hooves around like a duck. His eyes drifted below the water as it started to bubble, faded purple hairs and then a head poked out from underwater that made Monsoon hop out of the pool. “Can’t a pony get some privacy here! Star, what are you doing here?” Starsung pressed his hoof on Monsoon’s lips, gesturing him to lean closer to him. “I’m hiding from Mountain, I still owe her that massage. She won’t leave me alone until she gets one.” “Afraid I can’t help you out there,” The winged batpony guard rolled off his back, getting back up to his feet. “You never know maybe she has a nice nice surprise for you.” “Maybe you’re ri-” Monsoon dunked Star’s head down in the water after he heard Mountain stomping into the pool room. Without even trying, his shoulder down near the pool and cheek rested against his right hoof, flashing his best fake smile when Mountain Mist walked up to him. “Oh hey, Mountain! What brings you here?” Monsoon snickered, keeping Star underwater as he came up to breathe. “I’m looking for my little Starry, have you seen him?” Mountain tapped her hoof on the tiles, her head tilted to the side. “Nope nope, haven’t seen him when I came in here! You should check in the kitchen, you know how he loves eating pizza there.” Monsoon’s smile stretched out even wider, swallowed spit down his throat. Mountain elevated her eyebrows up and down, pointing a scrunched up muzzle in his face. “Uh huh, well if you do see Star, make sure he knows that I have a special surprise waiting for him,” She swiveled her body on cue out of the room into the main hallway. “Okay, she’s gone now.” Monsoon brought Starsung back up to the surface by his mane. “Agh-ah!” Starsung snorted the drops of water out his nose, still gasping for air. “Good, maybe next time you think of a way to hide me a little better next time.” “No promises, now go and face her,” Monsoon patted him on the back, waggling his eyebrows. “Yes I can do this!” Star directed himself to a towel rack, wrapped the towel around his waist and noticed dark blue spots on his coat. “Why is there dark blue spots on my coat?” One ripped pack of dark blue paint floated on the water that caused Starsung to glare at Monsoon, he walked out of the room his towel still dripping with paint. “I’ll get you back later, you’ll never see it coming.” Night Watch rolled her forelegs out from under the covers, leaving behind puddles of sweat on the bed sheets. She tied the back of her jet black  mane in a ponytail to keep her mane nice and tidy, quickly running out to the sounds of alarms blaring. Warning, warning, warning! High levels of activity below the airship inside the forests near The Firefly Festival! Night tapped into interactive subsections of the Corona Horizon’s main server, activating spotlights below the main deck scaring away the animals that controlled these parts of the Vancouver Forest. “Looks like we got some trespassers. What do the spotlights pick up down there?” Scanners on the spotlights show that a pack of wolves have just finished protecting their territory, it would be wise not to take them all head on. “Either way they have to be dealt with, looks like it’s up to me,” She galloped into a full sprint, running downstairs to the main weapons room that contained many of the weapons that the Night Guards and Royal Guards used respectively for years. Night flicked the light switch on, she looked on in awe at the whole room showcasing every weapon used by the guards: Shadow claws, Dragonskin, Yellowjackets, and Lightning spears. “So hard to decide which weapon is right for me. Decisions, decisions.” She rubbed her hooves and shifted her eyes thinking of which weapon to use first, strapping Dragonskin on her body as the armor locked into place that displayed dark dragon scales that only the toughest dragons in all of the land were killed by hunters for their scales to be used in combat. “Feels so rough but snug at the same time.” “It’s like a weapon paradise just for me!” Night Watch twirled around on her hooves and took hold of one pair of shadow claws. “Night, what are you doing?” Mountain walked silently behind Night Watch, breathing down her neck. “If you must know, there are three wolves looking for some trouble. Why is Scootaloo with you?” Night pressed the panel button as the lower deck of the weapons room opened up, strong winds pushed her cheeks back. “It’s the first step of our training regimen,” Mountain kept a firm grasp on the lightning spear. “I bet you would like to know why Scootaloo joined us, hmm?” “As a matter of fact, I do. I’m just dying to know,” Night’s eyes looked down on Scootaloo, trying to hide her sarcasm. “Eep!” Scootaloo’s heart jumped in her chest, remembering the words of wisdom Rainbow always told her. “You’re all kinds of awesome anyway!”   “I joined the Night Guard to show that I can represent Equestria with pride, no matter what the cost was even at the expense of my life to protect others. I promised my big sister before she died, that I would never give up my dreams.” Mountain rubbed tears from her red and irritated eyes, blowing her nose in a hoofkerchief. “That was really sad and I usually never cry! What do you say Night, will you let us join you?” “That sob story made me tear up a little. I’m still not phased by your little facade, but I’ll be a fair pony to allow both of you to join me, just don’t get in my way.” Night leaped out the lower panel that welcomed the bitter cold as her hooves touched down on the ground. Mountain Mist squeaked as the armor latched on her back, jumping bravely into the frigid cold. A strong flap with her wings cushioned her fall down below, the wind roared relentlessly through into the air that tickled her coat. Adjusting her goggles, she spotted three wolves gnawing at the decomposed skin of a rabbit only a few feet from their den. She opened her wings, catching the fully armored Scootaloo placing her to the ground. “ Targets sighted, go in with extreme caution, Night. Scootaloo, stick with me.” “Listen Mountain, you don’t order me around I already know what to do.” Night Watch walked one hoof after the other, staying low to the ground. “Mountain, are you sure you don’t want me to help you guys out?” Scootaloo rubbed her shoulder, a hint of hesitation in her voice. Mountain pulled her head to her chest, burying the sounds of sniffles. Wind whistled through the leaves in the trees that whispered through her ears, the cold air on her breath made her feel at home in the deep, dark caves of Hollow Shades that would make most ponies run away. “Look we do need your help, just not yet until we have to find Marina.” “I hate to say this but I agree with mountain head here, working as a team is only necessary when needed. Those two goofballs are still inside the airship so let’s hurry before we startle the wolves,” Night Watch clawed at the ground, scraping clumps of dirt between the claws as she lunged behind one wolf leading his pack, the roof of her mouth salivating at the sight of his neck. She stopped in her tracks, glowing yellow eyes tracking her every move once her hind legs backpedaled and tail tucked in between. “Element of surprise, huh? You see Night, we could’ve attacked them together.” Mountain Mist stepped from her current position flying off to the center behind Night Watch, still caught of guard at wolves foaming at the mouth and barking at them. “Yeah, yeah. You can lecture me later but for now, we give these fleabags the best we got on the count of three. One, two, three!” Night Watch shouted out her battle cry, charging forward with claws drawn that scratched the sensitive fur of an alpha wolf who grabbed hold of the claws, and launched her through hard, unforgiving wooden tree bark. The alpha wolf chewed away at the bit, his teeth biting down on her right shoulder. His strong grip on the shoulder gave way as small chunks of her coat snuck its way between his teeth and Night rolled the other shoulder back under his chin, knocking him back, rubbing his slightly fractured jaw. One swipe after the other missed their mark attempting to strike Night Watch, she sidestepped his next attack kicking him in the back of his leg to roll it over her back, snapping the appendage with a sickening crunch. “Well, that’s one down. But just to be sure,” Night pulled the midnight strands of her mane back, pouncing down on the wolf sinking her fangs deep into his neck drinking each drop and savoring every minute of it. Tender, delicious, but yet he was weak. The deep thought rolled off her tongue, she stomped her right forehoof down on his cheek. Mountain scratched the back of her armor, grabbing the wolf clinging to her before throwing him into the air and aiming the lightning spear at his chest, volts of lightning passed through the wolf’s body that shook his beating heart. She smiled at his body falling in the patch of grass, quickly turned her back. The world closed in around her as the last remaining wolf of the pack hitched a ride on her back pulling her wings, she snorted steam out her nose and skyrocketed into the grey clouds. “We’ll get him. What smells like burning flesh?” Night’s ear twitched to the screams of pain, the burning carcass of a wolf laid down on his back in the grass, four lifeless paws and legs in the air. “Jeez Mountain, I didn’t think you were capable of something so gruesome and I like it.” Flying through holes in the clouds, dipped back down to earth, ignoring the sharp claws that dug deep into the bones of her wings. She began to fly past individual trees in her path shielding her eyes inside of the thick fog, crashing through the wooden tree bark. The tree split in half as Mountain and the wolf whimpered and still laying in the destruction left in their wake, forehooves hugged the brittle ground below her. “I thought he would never get off,” Mountain Mist carefully folded both wings at her side, popped a bone back into place that was covered in wooden chips. “Now I know I need that massage, let’s get back inside before another pack of wolves start looking for us.” “Hey you guys, up here!” Starsung and Monsoon called from above, smiling and waving but their smiles quickly changed to grim expressions. “What happened to you guys?” “Well gee, we had to fight a pack of rabid wolves that left scratches on my coat, bit down on my shoulder, and had Mountain over here injure herself to take the alpha wolf down. Where were you guys?” Night touched lacerations on her face, blood leaked out of the open wounds. “We were just watching Vanhoover set up the stage for Trixie’s performance,” Starsung guided his hoof out in the distance, bright stage lights seeped through the canopy brush of the woods and thick fog. “It would be fun to at least check it out–” Monsoon jumped from the open hatch in the weapons room and followed the lights’ path. “Wait for me—gah!” His body stumbled back as Mountain grabbed a hooful of his tail across the ground, feeling gravity take him into the air inside the Corona Horizon. “Good grief, Monsoon you go without me and have fun.”   “If you insist, and you have fun with Misty,” Monsoon and the two guards pushed swinging tree branches out of their way through the Vanhoover wilderness to the heart of the city.” “What’s the big idea?” Starsung dropped out of the aggressive pegasus’ grasp down on the bunk bed sheets, “You are really taking this bet way too seriously.”                         She tossed horseshoes and chest plates out her drawer as hoofcuffs dangled around with one hoof, twirling them playfully on her wrist. “Oh, you have no idea.”                         Mountain slipped her special long black socks with yellow dots decorating tight leather textures on the socks. Her head turned around and looked dead into his eyes waiting for a stupid grin to catch her attention, walking over to his bedside locking hoofcuffs around his wrist, tail tickling under his chin. “This may be a little too extreme—but I’ve earned it.”                         “Extreme? This is way too over the top even for you, but I’ll humor you and start massaging your wings.” Starsung filled his lungs full of air and his mouth released all of the air it could hold.                          His gentle touch moved lower down the feathers of her wings, her tongue lolled out at the relaxing pleasure she felt. The tense muscles in her body melted any hint of stress away, Starsung pressed down hard on the soft pressure points of her hooves. Mountain’s moaning filled the guard sleeping quarters, her body dangled over the side of the bed. “That’s more like it. Why can’t you be like this more often?” “Check your socks,” Starsung’s teeth grabbed one end of her socks, slowly removing the sock, still between his teeth. He slipped a small device inside the socks before setting it to the highest frequency. Taking off the other sock, the device shot off three balls of colorful powder, coating her face and all over her body. She couldn’t help but giggle at the harmless little prank, knowing that Star could do so much better than just this beginner tactic. Mountain punched him in the side of his ribs. “Haha! That was a nice little prank you pulled on me, hope you are very aware that I will get you back for this.” “...” As night fell in Vanhoover, fireflies roamed around the deep brush of the forests and out of the woodworks out in an open part in the center of the country. Ponies attending flocked to the open stadium intermingling with one another, watching fireflies light the way for the next performance. A laidback earth pony wearing her peace sign t-shirt, walked onto the stage up to the microphone. “Welcome one and all groovy ponies to the annual Vanhoover Firefly Festival! Our first performance of the night is the one and only, Trixie Lulamoon, who will be performing her newest trick. Stay tuned for that, enjoy your night!” Tree Hugger pressed the lighter down, setting the tip of her cigarette on fire. Trixie closed her eyes as a small sliver of magic charged from her horn, screwing light bulbs on the mirror as the bulbs sparked a bright light. She averted her gaze on letters strewn all across her table that gave a strong reminder of her past after enslaving the entire town of Ponyville. Past regrets wallowed her body in the metaphorical filth, she believed that her entire life from then on starts and ends with ridicule from all walks of life. She explored the dressing room in a complete circle, going through the list of tricks planned once more.  I wish I could take it all back and rewrite history, envy and jealousy corrupted my mind, leaving me blind to see the truth. Trixie thought about the last words that Twilight said to her before she moved to Vanhoover, “Many ponies stray from their own path, leaving them susceptible to negative influences it only takes someone to guide them in the right direction, to not go gentle into that good night.” A pony wearing a headset, knocked on Trixie’s dressing room door. “Miss Trixie Lulamoon, you are up to compete in 5 minutes. Are you ready?” Trixie pushed the door forward, the force of the push banged the backstage coordinator’s muzzle straight into the door’s path. “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry and to answer your question I am ready to showcase the tricks up my hooves!” Trixie apologized then valiantly answered, confidence oozing from her bravado. “Good to know.” the backstage coordinator wiped blood from her snout. Trixie galloped down the backstage corridor through the curtains, rounds of applause washed over her. Stage crew wheeled her equipment to the stage, and placed pyrotechnics left and right of Trixie as she generously thanked the crew for bringing the fireworks out. She walked to the microphone and started eyeing her adoring audience. “One and all, prepare to be entertained by the magical stylings of the Great and Apologetic Trixie!” Night Watch, Monsoon, and Scootaloo moved through the crowd to the front row near the stage. “Keep an eye out for anything suspicious, Marina could have easily sent out some griffons to spy on us.” They split up and fanned out in the area for a tail or talon hiding out somewhere, at the same time Trixie was continuing her performance.  Trixie removed her hat, dropping a golden ball on the stage that rolled away to center stage. “For my first trick, Trixie will make this golden ball into a magical dispenser.” Concentration was the only thing on her mind as the golden ball rose off the stage, spinning around a web of energy surrounding it. Golden tendrils held the floating ball in place, hatching apart small bursts of sparkling powder washing over the crowd of ponies that gave them a real experience being inside the separating object. Fireflies swarmed the stage, clumping together that recreated old events during the brutal reign of Princess Platinum and how she waged war against Britania’s armies overseas. Three griffons continued to walk into the crowd, the leader of the group pointed the other direction towards the stage. “She’s the one we need to capture, Marina’s orders.” “Copy that, stay hidden and avoid suspicion.” They stayed low to the ground walking thoroughly through the crowd of ponies, not taking their eyes away from Trixie.                                             > Marina > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- III. Evening The Odds                  Marina’s griffons stormed the stage just as Trixie finished up her trick, blinding flashes of light caught them off guard. Falling and crashing backwards into the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra that traveled for the occasion, one griffon was unfortunate enough to get stuck inside a tuba annoyed that the tuba player continued to play. Loud ear-splitting music shot him out and his head still spinning.         “Ugh my head. Marina doesn’t pay us enough fo–” He fell to the ground, one broken tooth from the trauma dealt to him. Arguably enough that Marina keeps them in the shadows that they get paid at all only makes her happier, she never questioned any amount of intelligence or lack thereof.         An exchange of talons and fatal blows gave both sides blow for blow. Night Watch took off to the skies beneath the wind that carried her as she tucked her gut in, releasing highly sensitive pain inside the eardrums to anypony nearby. Her screeching caused the audience to scatter, and leave the stadium quickly as possible. Wish we had some real competition.          Scootaloo ducked under the pair of talons that nearly knocked her out, slipped right behind them and cracked their heads together, their brains rattling inside. Not too shabby. “Trixie is grateful that you saved her; Trixie also assumes that she was the intended target, any idea on why that’s the case?” Trixie’s curiosity increased, inviting them backstage to talk privately. They joined Trixie backstage past the black curtains flapping against strong winds and stepped into her dressing room. Night Watch played around with a stack of poker cards that had fallen, proceeding to answer Trixie’s question from earlier. “A rogue griffon named Marina sent her little band of troops, somehow she knew you was here and made sure to send them and capture you… for what reason I’m not sure.” Trixie pondered the answer that popped in her head. “Trixie may have an answer. I heard some talk about Filthy Rich actually giving Marina the bits to afford some protection, you’ll be able to find him in an old warehouse that he bought in Ponyville, a new location for Barnyard Bargains.” “That’s my hometown right there!” Scootaloo’s wings buzzed as they lifted her off the ground. “I know Ponyville like the back of my hoof we should get there faster if we take the airship.” “Let’s get outta here, thanks for the help, Trixie.” Monsoon eyeballed the scratches on his cheek, walking out of the dressing room. Night rolled her eyes and patted Scootaloo on her back, joining Monsoon out the door, who was with Scootaloo.  “Great job you did out there kid. Hope we meet again, Trixie.” § Mountain grabbed Star’s hooves immediately began to pin him down on his back, giggling like a crazed madman. “Gotcha, give up?” She hoped to savor her victory that was until Star slipped through her legs and pinned her front hooves behind her back. “Oof!” Mountain’s hooves flailed in the air, kicking Star in the cheek. “I am so sorry, you should remember that I love being the dominant one.” “So should I—wah!” Starsung lost the momentum of his playful, little attack as he was grabbed off the bed and hitting his face on the way down. “Never let your guard down. Silly soldier,” Mountain flipped her mane, radiating flamboyant behavior towards him. “You got lucky, just saying.” He played off his “tough stallion” act and rummaged through the refrigerator after rushing into the kitchen. Throwing bottles of water that splashed down to the kitchen floor, forming a huge puddle around him similar to a sinking ship. “Geez Princess Luna, out of all things to stock the fridge with, you stock it with bottles of water.” “Not that big of a deal and you know I beat you,” Mountain giggled and added a sly grin to top it off. Insult to injury, she skipped a circle around Starsung and treasured that he puffed his cheeks before huffing air that was building up. Starsung fell down again on his face, deliberately tripped by a strong cord fitted with metal balls. “What the heck, where did this come from?” Mountain Mist blew a kiss as she shifted her eyes away and hid the device. “Let’s just say you are not the only jokester here.” The Corona Horizon’s main hub of communication picked up an incoming transmission that was sent a few seconds ago by Night Watch. “Incoming transmission from Night Watch: Sorry to interrupt your possibly kinky game but we just wrapped up things here at the Firefly Festival, Trixie gave us some intel on a pony who helped Marina fund her little army, supplies, and weapons. Filthy Rich, we are going to Ponyville to get some answers one way or another. Over and out, transmission over.” Starsung walked to the control panel and pressed the big red button, unraveling a rope and ladder set up of wooden planks. “Come on up.” “You first, Scootaloo.” Monsoon cuffed his hooves together, boosting Scootaloo up as she climbed the ladder to the main deck. Scootaloo took her sweet time in climbing the ladder then admired the view of bodies of water that aligned aligned perfectly to Celestia’s vibrant ball of fire, calm waves at the crowded beach. “Thanks for the boost, need any help getting up here?” “No we’re good,” Monsoon and Night Watch confused at how they spoke right on cue. “So should we go up at the same time, or what?” “At the same time, wouldn’t want you to hold me back, eh?” Monsoon restrained his laughter to a light snicker that was completely interrupted by Night’s sucker punch to his gut, knocking all air he could muster up. “Hmmph! Remind me not to mess with you later.” “Duly noted.” Both guards set that little altercation behind them that Monsoon would forget anyway, and began their climb. Reaching their destination, Monsoon fell down to just one knee curled his body in a round ball writhing in pain. The force of that punch knocked wind and breath from him like a vacuum or haymaker knockout punch in the last round of a boxing match. “So, uh, what happened to you two?” Scootaloo kneeled down to Monsoon, trying not to laugh at his misfortune. “Night knocked the wind out of me just because I told her I wouldn’t hold her back!” His tone changed completely, still wrapping his stomach around his hooves. “Maybe you shouldn’t joke around especially with me,” Night’s hooves slipped in the water as she struggled to keep up her balance, quickly falling on the floor. “Ach! Who spilled all this water?” Silence made its presence known in the room. Starsung pointed an accusing hoof at Mountain Mist and she rotated her head right around, opening her mouth. “Really Star, after that crazy fun in the bed we had, that meant nothing to you?” “W–what did you guys do?” Monsoon slapped his knee, rolling around the floor and stomach pointed to the ceiling. “So you finally did it, huh?” “I’m not telling you, that is just sick, Monsoon. Sick!” Mountain gagged on her tongue where she almost wanted to vomit. Night pulled on the kitchen counter for leverage as she pulled her by the mane and banged Mountain’s head against the wall repeatedly. “Don’t think I didn’t forget that Scootaloo still owes me a one on one brawl in the training room, right now and I won’t take no for an answer!” She stormed out of the kitchen in a huff, slamming the door behind her which the training room’s control panel started to shoot little sparks of electricity. “Scootaloo, I won’t force you to fight her unless you are ready.” Mountain stood right next to her, her eyes told the story already. “I know I am ready,” Scootaloo made her way to the sliding door, ignoring the damage left behind and walked right into the training room. “I hope I can at least help her.” Mountain thought a strategy over after she walked after Scootaloo. “We’ll join you guys...eventually,” Starsung dug into the top cabinets, finding cotton balls and alcohol as he ripped the bag with his teeth. “Now this is going to sting a little.” Starsung added a few drops of alcohol that moistened the cotton balls. Monsoon thought on instinct and played the scenario in his head, stretching his hoof that dragged across the floor. “Oh no you don’t, I don’t want to.” “Seriously, every time that a pony needs to get some medical they always run for the hills. Now I know how Miss Redheart feels.”  Starsung shook his head with disappointment and trying to keep himself without bursting into a fit of laughter. Weapons attached to the training room wall made Night flash a wicked smile just thinking of the damage and evil intentions she would do to teach her a lesson. She talked into the voice activation panel as all lights dimmed in every corner of the room except the distance between Scootaloo and herself. “You choose your weapon of choice.” Mountain watched on from a seat behind a wall that divided her from them, only way of entry was an open door. Scootaloo ran her hoof through her hair, picking through the various weapons of choice: Lightning spears, Dragonskin, and Shadow claws. “Dragonskin.” “Good choice, sadly that won’t do you any good. Shadow claws,” Mechanical arms dropped their choice of weapons to them to begin the training sequence. “Initiating training sequence: Five, Four, Three, Two, One...begin.” Scootaloo tightened her body as the armor locked in place. “Tight fit but I suppose it will do,” She casted her eyes across to Night, not looking away an inch. “Like I said, won’t do you any good.” Night slipped her front hooves into the open metal as it detected her movement finally slipping both hooves in, locked tightly that gave her a warm feeling. Night ran ahead of Scootaloo with a little speed in her step, running along as the claws scraped the white walls and looked down at her. “ Can’t keep up, can you?” Running around in a circle using the wall to aid her, she won’t expect Scootaloo to pull out any tricks from her hooves. Scootaloo unfurled her wings as the feathers stretched out and she flew up to the ceiling charging at full speed, striking Night across her face beginning to lose her balance and falling flat on her stomach. Night threw her body forward as her head smacked straight into Scootaloo’s muzzle, blood dripping out her nose and continued flowing in her black mane. She proceeded to throw her head back followed by the claw that cut deep into the skin of her cheek, pulling it out soon after. “Hurts, doesn’t it?” “You tell me,” Scootaloo flapped her wings hard that generated her own wind, pushing Night’s back into the wall. She took the open opportunity with relentless striking into the armor, shielding the attacks that Mountain sent right into her wing. The absorbing still did its damage, she whimpered softly and shaking her wing to relieve the pressure off. Night allowed her hooves to gain speed and jump over Scootaloo for some major air setting up for her next attack, rammed her shoulder into the tough armor with no effect. Aware that the attack did nothing, Mountain covered her face up, pointing her hooves and forelegs away. The scale-like armor responded to her failed attempt, Scootaloo threw Mountain down flat on her back using hooves that she tried to protect herself with, her knee pressed down, adding immense pressure to her throat. “I could finish this right now. All I wanted was respect and would fight hard to earn it, why can’t you just admit–” “Scootaloo, stop!” Mountain raised her hoof, including herself to intervene. “Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t end her for good!” Scootaloo balled up her hoof and casting her eyes down at Night’s badly bruised face. The fury in her eyes and fire in her gut wanted to tell Mountain off and finish Night off, but maybe her conscience can make the guilt go away or stay deep in the dark confines of her mind. “I know that Night can be one arrogant and stubborn mare, also not the easiest to get along with–” “N-Not, helping…” Mountain took slow and deep breaths, the pain straining her voice. “The point is, Princess Luna assembled this team to take down a foe and teams don’t get along similar to how a family doesn’t. But we are always there for each other to pick ourselves up, but it’s entirely up to you what you do. But know this, your decision could affect us in more ways than you know.” She didn’t take the time to look back, simply closed her eyes and walked out. Scootaloo’s heart skipped a beat, feeling completely split on what to do. “Night, we don’t see eye to eye. I’ll put this aside for now if you are.” Some of her blood landed on her face and continued to trickle down her neck. She kept her mouth closed, taking hold of Scootaloo’s foreleg and lifted herself back up to her full base the pain and after effects shot right through her body. Her legs dragged on the floor, about to fall until Scootaloo brought her hoof under her body so she caught  her in time. “What is going on here you two?” Mountain searched for the proper response for Starsung using duck tape to tie Monsoon down. “This little excuse for a stallion won’t hold still!” Starsung played a game of cat and mouse running after him, trapping him in a corner, and taping to a chair. “I don’t do alcohol or anything that could infect me. My skin doesn’t do such a thing,” Monsoon’s teeth gnawed, ripping himself from his tape prison. Starsung made sure to tackle him and wrestle him to the ground acting like a pair of rambunctious colts fighting over the last ice cream treat. “Help me out here, Mountain!”         Mountain searched through the cabinets for medical supplies, finding a syringe filled with viscous liquid. She held the medical syringe between her teeth and ran to the two stallions playing around, injecting the syringe into his flank flowing through his bloodstream, his eyelids drooping and eyes closed shut. “Why did you even tape him to a chair at first?”         “I don’t know. Would you?” Starsung shrugged, playing the question as if he didn’t hear it.         “Of course I would, if an insane pony wanted to get admitted to the Canterlot Insane Asylum!” Mountain threw her hooves up, pretending to flip a table.         Scootaloo carried Night in her forelegs, her limbs swaying as if they went limp. “Don’t ask, wait a minute!”         Incoming frequency transmission:         Unknown broadcast         Marina appeared on the screen as the sound of griffon militia moved supplies and weapons could be heard in the background, inside an abandoned prison that once harbored dangerous criminals on Equestria’s Most Wanted List. “A little pony told me that a group of ponies were coming after me. And I thought, it would make sense that I caught your ruler off guard by killing one of her own who sworn by an oath to protect her, sadly I’m afraid you won’t be finding me any time soon until the end.”         “Don’t you think you will keep us at bay—”         “I wouldn’t say that just yet. After all, fear is what can bring even ponies who act tough to their knees.” Marina’s talon pointed out the airship as a squadron of air superiority scattered in an aligned formation, six ships on both sides waiting for her order. “Commanders, deploy the turrets and open fire!”         “You heard the lady!” The commander and the rest of his team deployed the turrets opening fire on the airship shooting live rounds of ammunition each doing their own set of damage, shattered glass laid on the carpet and blowing wooden cabinets off their hinges. Corona Horizon’s main hub tilted communication screen sliding on the floor, plummeting down to earth.         Mountain Mist and the team vaulted over the counter, covering their heads down. “Head to the weapons room, it’s time to go to war.”                   > Intel > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Intel         Hooves shuffled down the hallway to the weapons room of the Corona Horizon, dodging and weaving past objects exploding behind them. Their hearts racing as they turned each corner, stopping at a metal hatch above the room. They pop open the hatch and slide down the pole where the Yellowjackets were waiting for them.         “There she is, these fighter planes will show them not to mess with Equestria,” Mountain slipped into the fighter plane, fastening her seatbelt. “Before we go out there, Scootaloo and Night may need to sit this one out after their fight, head to the medical wing up ahead.”         Scootaloo nodded, carrying Night to the medical wing. “Make them pay for us.”         Monsoon’s head rotated in a circular motion as his blurry vision traveled up and down the room. His jaw hanging open, little drops of drool of drool falling to the floor, and he rolled on his back licking his lips. “H-Ha, you guys look so tasty.” I don’t feel right at all.         Her head cocked to the side, studying the caution warning on the syringe and Monsoon’s weird behavior. “Says here that the side effect of the injection may include: dizziness, peculiar behavior, thoughts of suicide, and an increased risk of drowsiness.” “That is the understatement of the century.” Starsung said, hopping into a fighter plane. “Let’s do this, everypony ready?” Mountain pushed various buttons, turning knobs that powered the Yellowjacket as the control panel opened and she shot off at the speed of a runaway train. “Monsoon, will you be okay by yourself?” Starsung wondered, buckling himself into the fighter plane and changing settings on the weapons to full-auto. Monsoon nibbled on the old schematics of the airship, wide eyes looking back at him. “Paper tastes funny, haha.” “I guess that’s a yes,” He sighed, flying out to the chaos in the sky. Mountain chased one of the lieutenants as three commanders pursued her, shooting bullets into the back of her plane, wincing as one bullet passed through her back. Her hoof pulled the lever, turning her plane completely around and the light machine guns trained on them. Smoke whistled through the clear blue skies that could be visibly seen from thousands of feet in the air, came out of her guns firing bullets through glass windows at the front of their flying projectiles, imploding upon impact as burning metal and three bodies fell from the sky. Mountain applied pressure to her wound, blood still pouring out like a leaking faucet. “Star, I need you to create a diversion to bring the rest of them together, then we take them all out.” “Consider it done!” Starsung dove his plane down, enemy planes following closely behind him as he stuck his tongue out. “That’s right, follow the birdie!” The griffons that remained, dwindled in numbers and all together in just the right position of Mountain’s crosshairs, she heard Starsung give her the signal began to open fire that blasted through their defenses. Quickly spinning through the air, she took a liking to all of the destruction that she dished out. “All threats eliminated, well done, Star!” “It was either them or us,” He threw his hoof up high, celebrating in his own nonchalant fashion. Mountain and Starsung piloted their planes back into the weapons room, exiting the planes as soon as they landed. Clouds of smoke gave Starsung the sinking feeling at the bottom of his stomach as his spinning head slumped against the table near Monsoon, throwing up contents of food and other questionable items. Starsung’s face turned a sickly green, eyes still spinning like pinballs. “Ach, aw! Sorry I don’t have a strong stomach, it’s like death is in the air.” “That’s more of a you problem, sweetie. I’ll go check on Scootaloo and Night.” Mountain chuckled, sprinting to the medical wing. “In the meantime, I’ll just play with you man.” Star hurled a ball across the room, he was in shock as Monsoon wrestled with it. Night laid on her back, cracking open her eyes as her eyes traveled around the room. “I’m sorry that I gave you a hard time, surprised you spared me though.” “Think of it as a warning,” Scootaloo lightly tapped the bags of IV fluid. “We don’t have to like each other but I’ll respect you for putting up a fight.” “That’s true — I don’t know how long I’ll be resting, frankly I could give a flying feather.” Night rolled on her side, slowly resting her eyes. “Right attitude, Night!” Scootaloo slapped Night on her back, a loud yelp escaped her mouth. “Ye-ow!” Night guided her hoof up and down, rubbing the middle-sized hoof mark. “My bad, put some ice on it.” Scootaloo’s cheeks blossomed, both cheeks flushed in red. Grabbing a bag of ice from the mini fridge, she swirled the ice around the scratches and cuts all over her spine. “Ah ah, that feels nice.” Night squeaked, perking her ears happily. Mountain entered the room, sounds of her hooves coming in made them turn their heads. “Hope I didn’t interrupt anything important. Is this a bad time?” “No!” Scootaloo backed away, smiling sheepishly at her. “What? No, of course not.” Mountain flushed her tongue out, throwing her foreleg down, no concern in her voice. “Right, anyway I’ll program the airship to send us to Ponyville. Let’s pay this Filthy Rich a visit,” Mountain’s smile changed to a frown, making her way into the main communications hub. Large holes, the size of cannonballs smashed wooden cupboards, breaking down mental hinges that once held them together. Small spurts of electricity inside control panels, Mountain jumped to the side as her heart dropped inside her chest. She walked forward carefully to avoid broken glass, opening the airship’s interactive location map. “Surprised that they didn’t damage this thing too bad,” She dragged Ponyville to the next location slot, the map confirming the location. “Ponyville, Barnyard Bargains warehouse.” //Barnyard Bargains location confirmed, setting course for Ponyville.\\ “Phew, just one step closer to ending this all.” Mountain wiped sweat from her brow, and watched as the sun settled behind the trees, fading away out of sight. “No, no, no!” Marina digged her claws into the table, ripping deep into the wood and throwing in the air. “Front and center now!” Soldiers followed her orders, ceasing their actions of wheeling weapons, food, and other supplies they knew exactly what would be coming next. Witnessing her outbursts of unadulterated rage was one thing to avoid that became a common occurrence, they were used to it but don’t want to be the soldier that she takes it out on. Suited up in armor and protective pads, their eyes darted to each other and back at their leader. Their throats gulped down spit and sweat moistened their faces, the look on their faces as Marina went to grab a baseball bat, walking in a single-file line back and forth. “I ask for one thing and one thing only, take them out. You couldn’t do that right! So, I want one group of six to guard this prison, and the other six head to the Barnyard Bargains warehouse with me. Move it!” Marina yelled to the top of her lungs, her six soldiers stood at attention and took the elevator up to the roof. //Arrived at location!// “Wah!” Mountain falling out the chair, rubbing the back of her head. “Right on cue.”         Holding a cowbell and symbol, banging them together in her hooves, waking the rest of the team up from their naps. “Time to move in guys, we’ve got no time to waste.” She dressed herself and the team in black latex suits, reflexed fibers fitted inside to help them move faster and attack silently.         Scootaloo scratched her head. “I guess the only plan we need is to interrogate Filthy?”         “Correct. Looks like we got company—again.” Starsung peeked into a pair of binoculars, surveying the scene.         Marina’s fighter plane landed on the grass as she and her soldiers stepped out, snipers watching their position below lasers attached not looking away and scanning for targets. “Guard this place like your lives depend on it, or else I’ll break every bone in your body.”         “Yes ma’am, you heard the lady!” The sniper commanded, himself and his team mounted on high points of entry and watching each direction. “Time to test out the latex and stealth,” Mountain opened the hatch, dropping down with the team as the wind blew through her mane. > Be All, End All > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Hunt Is On V Finale: Be All, End All Barnyard Bargains Warehouse, Ponyville. Escorted by her soldiers, Marina pushed open the metal doors as sounds of a conveyor belt moved boxes of packages in a orderly fashion. Two security guards occupied outside of Filthy Rich’s office, remembering that they were given strict orders by their boss only to allow her inside. One of the guards spoke in his earpiece. “Mr. Rich, she has arrived.” “Send her in,” Filthy answered, spinning around in his chair. “Marina, come on in.” Filthy waved an alluring hoof, inviting her inside. The guards opened the door for her, stepping into the office with her soldiers following right behind. She looked directly at Filthy Rich drinking imported champagne from Prance and sitting behind his desk, placing two filled glasses of the expensive drink. “Glad you could make it, were you followed?” “Nope, I’ve got soldiers and snipers watching the entrance for little ‘pests.’” Marina wrapped the glass in her claw, sipping some champagne. “Excellent. Did the supplies I gave you, were they to your liking?” Filthy said, looking at her and his lip quivering. “No need to fear me, Mr. Rich. You just make sure your guards aren’t incompetent,” Marina crushed the glass, small shards of glass and champagne flew at Filthy’s face. “They are the best security bits can buy. Talking down to them, your words are meaningless—” Filthy choked on his words, his weight lifted into the air. “I’ll have you know, I betrayed my country just to get back at how Equestria treats griffons as a whole,” Marina throttled him by his throat, pinning him down on his back to the desk, knocking papers to the floor. “Think little of my threats if you betray me.” Letting go of his collar, she pushed him into his chair. “Well then, we shouldn’t keep our little friends waiting.” Filthy adjusted his collar, activating the security cameras that captured each angle outside and inside the warehouse. “We’ll know if they arrive or not, it would be foolish of them to show.” Snipers in front of the entrance, back of the building, and watched every inch of the building. “All clear.” Mountain deployed her parachute, winds carrying her to a nearby vantage point occupied by a sniper aiming his sights below him. Her hoof reached deep inside her armor grabbing ahold of her small blade pointed with a sharp edge, pouncing down on Fera’s back. Holding a lit cigarette up to her lips and taking a big breath, Fera smoked a small amount and sprinkled some ashes beside her. “Sti—” Her paws flailed around and scratched tough exterior of her attacker’s armor, strength slowly fading away, laying face down on her stomach. “One sniper down, four to go. Scootaloo, next one is for you, first tower on your right.” Mountain craned her neck to the right, Scootaloo nodding at her. Scootaloo ran across the top section of the warehouse, trying to keep her distance between the sniper tower and warehouse. Glass fell through a small opening on the roof, and shattered inside the warehouse. A quick leap from her current position didn’t give enough time to react as she grabbed the metal rail, climbing over and crouched down. Underneath her, a small wooden floorboard squeaked under her hoof, alerting the sniper. “Hey! What are you doing here?” Aoka turned around and rushed forward to her, swinging his knife in a swift motion, cutting some of her coat blood squirting out little drops. She covered the wound with one hoof, striking Aoka across the face with the other, knocking him off the sniper nest, falling into the grass. “Two down, two to go.” “Excellent. Starsung, you know the drill.” Mountain popped open a hatch, traveling down under the warehouse. “Well we didn’t discuss it earlier. But alright,” Starsung pounced down on the two snipers that were facing back to back, grabbing their manes and banging their skulls against the rail. “You ever wonder if Marina spends her afternoons splashing cheap bourbon all over her face at villain meetings?” “Star.” Mountain chose to ignore the question, pulling the stealth suit mask over her head.  “Yeah?” Starsung flashed a cheeky grin, walking in with her. “Not now,” Mountain rolled her eyes, a stern look on her face. “Star, find a way to take out those guards, Scootaloo you’re coming with me.” “Way ahead of you,” Starsung leapt off his hooves, using the environment as an advantage like his personal playground as he positioned himself above the guards’ heads, hanging upside down. He glides down, leathery wings spread apart and forelegs extended far enough for both forehooves to kick one guard down a small set of stairs. Once the guard tumbled down the stairs, his partner attempted to strike him and was grabbed by his shoulder launched straight into the wall, forelimbs sprawled out on the floor. Scootaloo and herself crawled along the vent, elbows bumping the metal. They traveled even further, listening in on a conversation below them as Mountain pressed her ear on the vent directly above Filthy Rich’s office. “Sounds like those two are hatching a plan, time to put an end to this.” Kicking the vent hatch open, Mountain landed on the desk as she grabbed Filthy by his collar. “If you value your life, I would part ways with you and Marina’s deal!” Filthy started to chuckle. “Too little, too late I’m afraid. She offered a deal I could not refuse.” Mountain pushed him further up the wall, the fire in her eyes staring at him. “You’re lucky that she isn’t around, I only pursue ponies of self worth.” Letting go of his collar, throwing him to the floor. Marina descended from the ceiling of the office, kicking Mountain square in the chest, landing on the conveyor belt. “We finally meet, face to face.” “You killed a guard, sent your forces out to kill me and my team, brag all you want but you won’t be walking away from this.” “Hit me with your best shot,” Marina cracked her neck, readied herself in a traditional Griffonia fighting stance. “Jokes on you, I got backup.” Mountain let out a faint whistle, as Scootaloo and Starsung popped out from the doors Filthy Rich’s security were guarding. Marina sighed and rolled her eyes. “You’re kidding right? Scootaloo and Starsung charged from behind Marina, moving on the walls and coming right back to her. She kicked her forehoof out to her, the force of the kick spun her head all the way around. Starsung flipped the merciless griffon over his back, rolling on his back, and kicking her down on her stomach as feathers flew in the air sending shockwaves down her spine. “You know what kid, that did hurt a little,” Marina crawled on the floor, claw grabbing onto the table to lift herself up. “But this is where you make a choice,” she reached for a metal object, throwing across to the conveyor belt lever as the object tangled around the lever, pulling it downward and activating the belt. Scootaloo jumped down to the moving conveyor belt that Mountain was on, breathing heavily towards the lever. Her hooves around the lever, tilting to the opposite direction in an attempt to stop it. She gritted her teeth, pulling back on the lever with as much strength that she could muster stopping the belt at a complete halt. “Phew,” she wiped a bead of sweat off her head, exhausted and falling on her back. “Nice moves kid,” Mountain said, her head dangling upside down. Marina turned her head and looked back at her pursuer, shoulder ramming through two front doors of the Barnyard Bargains warehouse. The engine of the fighter plane roared during its descent on the field of grass, unraveling a ladder down to the griffon. The pilot called out to Marina, “Filthy Rich sent us here to get you outta here, Marina. Hurry!” Marina climbed each step of the ladder before a hoof wrapped around her ankle. “Let go of me!” She kicked him repeatedly in the head, hanging onto the ladder with Starsung still holding her. “You idiots, shoot him now!” She shouted, one of her officers fired a projectile weapon, shooting him square in the eye. “So long and goodbye till we meet again,” Marina blew a raspberry, the plane flying off into the sunset. Starsung clenched the bleeding right eye, the rest of the team joining his side. “Luna isn’t going to be happy about this.”   Luna flipped through Starswirl’s Universal Study of Magic, watching the sunset fade away on the horizon, leaving room for her moon to color the sky. A knock at the door broke her relaxation, opening the door. “I trust that this is important?” “Indeed it is, your highness. We have successfully apprehended Filthy Rich, but Marina was able to escape.” Star removed his helmet, looking down at the floor.         Monsoon shook his head, effects of the syringe wearing off. “Finally the syringe wore off. Anything happen while I was gone mentally?”         “Besides capturing Filthy Rich but almost caught Marina? Nothing.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes.          The End