//------------------------------//
// Splitting Up the Party 
// Story: To The End of Drudges 
// by GWFan 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 9: Splitting up the Party

Davenport’s legs raced on at a blistering pace.  He was already panting, but still Isis refused to let him stop.  Of course, at the same time he was terrified to try to stop her.  There was no telling what she planned on doing.  If only he hadn’t let the Drudges out, he wouldn’t be in this mess.
What, do you really think that’s your fault?
“Huh?”  Abruptly, Isis stopped.  Davenport breathed heavily as he sat down.  He was finally in control of his body again.  “What do you mean?”
Those ponies are so cruel, blaming you for something that is so obviously the fault of Burgle.
“Yeah, but I’m the one who followed him, thinking he was a plumber.”
Who could blame you for that?  Burgle is a true blue schemer.
“Well he is a thief, but-”
And what about the Great and Powerful George?  What’s so great about him?  He even said he’s going to hate you and your family for all eternity.  Where does he get the gall to do that?
“It is kind of unfair, especially to my family.  They never did anything to him.”
Face it Davenport, no one respects you.  You have a wonderful love of quills and sofas and yet ponies always give you horse berries about it.  Where’s the love?
“It’s not so bad.  I mean, Twilight buys quills from me all the time.  She appreciates a good quill.  I’m sure someday she’ll buy a sofa from me too.”
She doesn’t appreciate quills.  She just needs them and tosses them aside when she’s done.  What pony would really write so much as to go through so many quills at a time?  Even your mother never went through quills so fast.
“My… my mother?” 
Davenport’s mother had been a writer.  She had gone through quills pretty quickly but Twilight came into the store every other week and bought several quills more than Davenport’s mother ever needed in the same time frame.  What was she doing with all those quills?
These ponies… bah.  They don’t even like you.  Look how they treat you.  Twilight even ran away from you yesterday just because I talked to her.  Was she even worried about you?
“I… I’m sure she was… I mean…” Davenport was aware of some rather strange thoughts that started swirling in his head.  Were these feelings of hatred?
You’ve tried a few times to discuss quills and sofas with them.  And for good reason.  Everypony needs a good sofa to sit on, right?
“Of course they do.”
Your father knew that.  He put a lot of love into every sofa he built.
“Yeah, he did.”
Just look at what happened.  They blame you for something that was not your fault and then force you along on this meaningless adventure.  What will become of that store you wanted to buy?  They’re all keeping you from expanding.
“You’re right.  But…” Davenport shook his head.  “No, no.  You Drudges are evil.  That’s why I’m on this quest.  I can always buy another store.  My sales are up.  Things are going great.”
Is that so?  Then why do you feel so sad?
“Huh?”  Davenport was feeling sad.  But why?  He wasn’t a moment ago.
Am I really so evil?  Princess Celestia wants to destroy the Drudges.  Destroy!  How is that fair?  Even Discord was imprisoned in stone and yet, just because we Drudges need energy to live, to live mind you, we must be destroyed?  Obliterated?  Forced to cease?  Where is the justice in that?  We only want to survive.  This quest is a farce.  The only thing those ponies want is control.  They feel threatened by us.  Do you really think they want to drag you to the Temple of Discord just so they can hold us in a box?  Of course not.  The Elements of Harmony can’t be used anymore.  I tried to warn you already, the only way to kill us is to kill the hosts.  I can’t protect you once we get to the temple.  You’re going to be sacrificed, Davenport.  And so are those other two ponies if we don’t save them.
“No!  They wouldn’t do that.”
Really?  What do they keep telling you, Davenport?  What does George keep telling you?  Shut up and follow.  Is that not suspicious?
“Well… I mean…”
Don’t let them fool you, Davenport.  Don’t let them win against you.
Davenport started to sweat.  His feelings were swirling in his head.  Why were they on this absurd quest?  What did they really hope to accomplish?  Davenport dropped to the ground and cried.



Fluttershy looked at the sun.  It was getting late.  Where was Rarity?  She couldn’t still be at the lake.  Fluttershy was getting worried.  Rarity had been gone for almost thirty minutes now.
“Rhubarb, I’m going to the lake.”
Rhubarb looked up from the saddlebag he had been packing.  “What for?  We already have water.”  Then he looked around.  “Rarity’s not back yet.”
Fluttershy nodded.  “I’m going to go look for her.”
“Hang on…” Rhubarb took another look around.  “Burgle is gone too.”
“I think he went with Rarity.”
“Really?  I didn’t think she liked him.”
“He said he would watch her back.  Twilight asked him too.”
“I don’t know.  With everything that’s been going on maybe I should come with you.”
“Wait there,” Grey suddenly spoke up.  He walked out from underneath the shade of a tree he had been sitting under.  “I’ll go with her.  You stay in case they come back.”
“You’re actually talking again?”  Rhubarb looked his friend over.  “Maybe it would be best if you stayed instead.”
Grey’s eyes changed red.  “You don’t understand.  I have to go with her.  I have to follow Rip Van Winkle.”
“I can’t leave you alone with her in good conscience, Grey.  Stand down.”
“I’ll go crazy if I don’t.  You stand down.”
“Stop you two!” Fluttershy called.  “Rhubarb, it’s all right.  Grey can’t hurt me as long as I have the Drudge.  He can go with me.”
Rhubarb looked hurt.  His expression was that of shock.  Then he sighed.  “Fine.  But if you’re not back in eight minutes, I’m coming after you.”
“Rhubarb, please don’t lose faith in Grey.  He’s still your friend and he’s still one of us no matter what mean old Rip did to him.”
“You have no idea how much I want to believe that.”
Fluttershy gasped.  She couldn’t believe he would actually doubt his own friend.
“Don’t lose faith.  You don’t want to lose a friend,” she said softly.
Rhubarb didn’t make any sign as to whether he had heard her or not.  Instead, he flicked his hoof, telling them to go.
Fluttershy turned around sadly and almost squealed when she realized how close Grey was standing.  He was all but staring at her back.  
Fluttershy gulped nervously.  “Let’s go.”  
She led the way and Grey followed.  He followed so closely, he was practically bumping into her.  Fluttershy looked back at him and saw him looking every which way as if he expected something to jump out and attack them.  
“Um… Grey?”  He turned his attention to her almost immediately.  “A little personal space?”
Grey stopped dead in his tracks.  “S-s-sorry.  I kinda couldn’t help it.”  His eyes were still red.
“Is it a comfort to you?  You know, to be so close?”
“I’m… not sure.  I just know I can’t be very far from my master…. I mean Rip Van Winkle.”  He held his head as if he had a headache.  “I’m losing my mind aren’t I?”
“It’s not your fault.”
“You keep saying that.  Why do you sound so apologetic all the time?”
“It’s just who I am.  I can’t help it if I feel this way.  I wish I could have stopped him.”
“He’s a Drudge.  How could anypony stop him?”
“I know, but still…” Fluttershy sighed.  “You can stay close if you want.”
“But… but I…”  Fluttershy started walking again.  “Thank you, Fluttershy.”  Feeling terrible, Grey walked silently behind her, not even realizing that he was involuntarily getting closer to her as he did so.
“Grey!” Fluttershy suddenly stopped.
“I didn’t mean to get so close.”
“No, not that.  I don’t see them anywhere.”  They were at the lake, but all was quiet.  “Rarity!?  Burgle!?  Are you there!?”  They both listened, but they heard no reply.  Fluttershy turned to Grey in a panic.  “You don’t think Salamander got control of Rarity do you?”
Grey didn’t answer.  His eyes weren’t just red, they were glowing.
“Grey?”
He looked around, baring his teeth as if trying to scare something away.  
“What is it?  Is there something there or…” Grey stood silently, looking at her.  It was almost as if he was waiting for an order.
“Grey, are you okay?  Say something.”
Don’t worry about it.  He’s just thinking of my safety.
“Rip?”
Salamander isn’t around.  I don’t know what happened to him but my servant doesn’t sense anything and neither do I.
“He’s not your servant.”
I’d beg to differ and explain why, but I don’t really feel like it.  There’s no danger here so I’m going back to sleep.
“Rip, wait!  Don’t make Grey be like this!  Change him back!  Rip?”  No response.  “Grey, you don’t have to do this.  Please, Grey!”  Grey silently looked at her.  She turned away from him and called, “Rarity, where are you!?  Burgle!?  This isn’t funny!”  
She stood and listened for only a moment.  Flapping her one free wing frantically, Fluttershy dashed back to camp.  Grey galloped right behind her.



Burgle walked slowly across the road.  Rarity slept soundly on his back.  She had succumbed quiet easily to his sleep spell.  Salamander had nearly retaliated, but once Burgle told him what he was planning, the Drudge had stopped and let Burgle do what he pleased.
He had taken a bit longer than he thought and he was only halfway to the meeting point.  There was no way he would make it by the following day.  He wondered if the occultists would care that he was a bit late.  Burgle had ran into them and a very strange pony right after the dragon attacked them.  Apparently, that pony had been the one who sent Burgle the letter about the Drudges.  He still wanted his assistance and had promised twice what he was going to pay before to bring at least one of the Drudges to him now.  Salamander apparently didn’t like that pony or so his reaction at the inn seemed to indicate, but Burgle had left that part out.  Salamander only thought he was being taken to the occultists.
Burgle suddenly spoke to himself, “Come on, this is for a heck of a lot of money, Burgle.  Just a little ways more and you’ll be back in the Neighhamas, sipping lemonade and chasing girls in the sand.”  He tried to smile, but his hooves weren’t moving any faster.  And why?
All right then Burgle, I’m counting on you to watch over Rarity and Fluttershy while George and I are gone.  
“She must be crazy to trust me.  I’m a thief for crying out loud.”
You helped Davenport and Rhubarb back at the inn and you helped us find Fluttershy after the dragons attacked.  I think I can trust you.  
“Finding Fluttershy wasn’t my idea.  I did it for the money.”  But why had he helped Davenport and Rhubarb then?  He still wondered about that.
…I’m counting on you to watch over Rarity and Fluttershy… I’m counting on you… I think I can trust you… 
Burgle stopped.  “Twilight, you should know that trust doesn’t apply to a thief.  This isn’t my fight.  I should be robbing the rich to fill my bank account.  I should be…”
Burgle stood there for a few moments more.  His legs refused to move.	
“Gosh darn it, how do these freaking ponies keep guilt tripping me into this crazy horse dung?”  Burgle set Rarity down gently and released the sleep spell she was under.  Almost immediately, her eyes fluttered open and she stared at him.  Then she screamed.
“What did you do!?  Did you do something to me?  What did you do to me!?”
Burgle groaned.  “First Pops and now you.  Why does everypony always assume the worst of me?  I’m not that kind of pony.”  
“Then what kind of pony are you!?”
“A very confused one, that’s what.”  Burgle sat down.  “I’m supposed to take you and the Drudge to the occultists, but for some reason I changed my mind.”
“What do you mean for some reason?  What are you scheming you, you…. thief!”
“You think I understand it?  I’m turning down 200,000 bits for this.”
Rarity actually looked surprised.  In fact, she even looked impressed.  “You’re not lying?”
“For some reason, no.  I think I’ve gone crazier than Pops.  You know how long I could go without stealing, with that much dough?”
“You really are a strange thief.”
“Tell me about it.  Three days ago, I was chilling at a nice beach resort.  The next day I’m trying to steal Drudges and end up on an insane epic quest.  I wonder if my buddies are still waiting for me to come back?”
“Are they good friends of yours?”
“Heck yeah.  You wouldn’t believe how much stuff we’ve stolen together or how many messes we’ve gotten ourselves into.  Nothing as heavy as this though.”
Rarity stood up and smiled.  “They’re probably still waiting then.”
“If they are, they’re probably still chasing girls on the beach.”
“Burgle, I don’t know why, but I’m going to be generous and believe you.  If you feel sorry about it, then I’ll even forgive you.”
Burgle snorted a laugh.  “You got to be kidding me.”
“If you’d prefer then I can sick my Drudge on you.”
Burgle grimaced. “You know, you really need to stop talking about that thing like you own it.  It’s kind of creepy.”
Rarity sighed.  “Yes, I know.  But for some reason I can’t help it.  I wonder how long before Salamander will be controlling me?”
“Then you better hurry up and get that thing off of you.  Go on.  Go back to Twilight and Fluttershy.  I’m positive they’re waiting for you.”
“You’re not going to escort me?”
Burgle stared at her.  “Pardon?”
“Aren’t you going back too?  You’d let a lady walk back by herself?”
“Are you kidding?  Back to that crazy quest?”  Rarity nodded.  “That Drudge really has gone to your head.  You’re freaking loony!”  
A vein visibly appeared on Rarity’s forehead and she smiled an angry grin.  “This isn’t a castle but congratulations, you’ve found your insult.  You’re a bigger coward than Salamander.”  The Drudge abruptly growled, though it didn’t shoot flames for once.
“I’m no coward, I’m just smarter than that.”
Rarity turned her nose up at him.  “Suit yourself.”  Rarity turned away and started walking.  Then she stopped.  “Um, Burgle…?”
“What?  Aren’t you leaving?”
Rarity looked at him, blushing.  “Where are we?  Which way am I supposed to go?”
Burgle stared at her again.  Then he thunked himself on the head with his hoof.  “Ah screw it.  I’ll take you back.  I’ve got something interesting to tell the Great and Powerful freaking George, anyway.” Burgle got up and huffed past her.
“You don’t have to sound like I’m forcing you to-” Rarity stumbled and almost fell over.  “Oh come on Rarity old girl, what’s wrong with you?”  Rarity tried to stand up and stumbled again.  She blinked when she realized her vision was blurring a bit.  She could feel her headache coming back, but Salamander hadn’t even done anything.
“Are you okay?”  Burgle actually sounded sincere this time.
“I… I don’t know.  This hasn’t happened before…” Rarity stood up slowly, realizing that her legs were shaking a bit.  “I think it’s Salamander.  All his obsessive feeding must be catching up to me.”
“I swear to Celestia…” Burgle said in annoyance.  He lowered himself down.  “Come on, I’ll carry you,” he said, still sounding annoyed.
Rarity wanted to say no, but her legs didn’t want to agree with her.  Instead, she slowly set herself on his back.  “I’m sorry, Burgle.  I don’t want to be like this, but-”
“Look, I get it.  Don’t even say it.”  He stood up and started back to the rest of the group.  “And for the record, this quest still sucks.”



Twilight had expected Isis to run far, but this was really something.  She and George had followed Davenport’s trail for quite a distance, enough to take up almost the entire day.  The sun was still in the sky, but it would be sundown in an hour or so.  
“I don’t like this,” Twilight said, looking towards the sun.  “It seems like every time the Drudges do something unexpected, it’s after sundown.”
“True.  Even in the scrolls, the Drudges were always most active at night.  It’s speculated that they’re stronger in darkness.”
“You knew that and you couldn’t have told us sometime sooner?”
“It wouldn’t have really changed anything now would it?” 
Twilight was all about logic but even if it didn’t give them any new options, it still would have been nice to know when they should have their guard up.  Then again, maybe it was best to always have their guard up with the Drudges.
“At least it might explain why bad things always happen at night.”  Twilight abruptly reversed the life spell she had placed on the cart.  Or at least she tried too.  It took her several attempts before she finally succeeded.  Even after the winter wrap-up incident, she still hadn’t perfected this technique.
“What did you stop for?  We could be right on top of them already.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.  If Isis is somewhere around here, then she could be waiting for us.  If the Drudges really are stronger at night then we shouldn’t take any chances and let Isis surprise us.”
“That’s all the more reason to hurry up.  I don’t want Isis causing any trouble.”
“If she does, I’m sure we’ll find out about it.  She probably knows we’ll come looking for her, so she’s not going to do anything obvious to attract attention.  Remember she doesn’t have her full strength back yet.”  Though of course, she had enough.  Enough to fight dragons with.  Twilight was beginning to wonder if there even was any logic to the Drudges behavior.  The only thing they did that made any kind of sense was their desire to protect themselves.  
“Twilight Sparkle!” 
Twilight and George turned fast, when they heard Davenport’s voice.
“Isis, there you are!” George shouted, raising his staff.
“It’s not Isis.  Just me, little old Davenport.”
“Davenport?  Are you okay?  What’s going on?  Did Isis decide to sleep now?”
“Just… just be quiet, Twilight, you, you… quill waster!”
Twilight blinked in surprise.  What was he talking about?  She used quills until they practically burst into flames.
“Davenport-”
“I said be quiet.  I don’t want to talk you right now.  Just go away and leave me alone.”
“Has that Drudge finally gotten to you?  You sound even more like a moron,” George said annoyed.
“Shut up!” Davenport yelled at him.  George actually looked surprised to be told such a thing.  “You’re the worst of all.  You don’t ever have anything nice to say about me.  And no wonder with you trying to sacrifice me.”
“I’m doing what?”
“Don’t play dumb, George!  I know what you’re trying to do.  You’re going to sacrifice me just so you can kill Isis.”
“I’m going to do what?  What are you talking about?”
“Davenport, we’ve been over this.  Nopony is going to sacrifice anypony.”
“Lies!  I know it!  Stop lying to me!  What do you care what happens to me?  You don’t even like quills and sofas.”
“Are you still going on about that stupid stuff?  You need a new hobby.”
“Not helping, George,” Twilight said through grit teeth.  “Something’s not right.”  Abruptly, Twilight realized what it was.  “Davenport, whatever Isis has told you, it’s not true.  She’s trying to turn you against us just like she did with Night Mare Moon.  Please, let us help you.  We have to win to against the Drudges.”
“I…I…” Davenport’s face contorted in rage.  “I won’t let you win!”
“Perfect,” another voice chimed in.
Twilight stared when Isis fell off Davenport’s chest and a dark light slowly enveloped him.  The Drudge scurried to his left, turned around, and faced them.  Then she changed.  Her spider legs fused into four, her body started to grow, and Twilight could make out a head beginning to form.  In moments, a dark blue pony with an icy blue mane and tail stood before them.  But not just any pony.  Isis had grown into a small alicorn, similarly to Princess Luna.
“Are you surprised?  Didn’t think I had recovered this much energy?  Guess you were wrong.”  She laughed and then turned her attention to Davenport. “Now this looks familiar.  Where have I seen this before?  Oh, that’s right, I remember.  This is just like when I changed Princess Luna into a certain mare of darkness.”  
“No.  Davenport!” Twilight shouted.
Davenport screamed and transformed before her eyes.  His eyes turned a deathly white, he physically grew taller, and a strange sort of white armor grew over his body except around his face and chest.  
“Oh oh,” Isis mocked.  “Looks like you’re a little late.  Davenport is already on my side.”
“I am no longer Davenport,” he said menacingly.  “I am Quilleficent!”
Isis stared at him.  “Quilleficent?”  She audibly groaned.  “Darn you and your accursed obscure knowledge.  Don’t you know anything else besides quills and freaking sofas?”  Of course, she already knew the answer to that which was mostly a no.
“Davenport… This can’t be happening,” Twilight said slowly.  
“You will not harm Isis,” Davenport pulled a quill from his vest pocket, which was one of the few places on his body not covered by armor.  “By the power of my quill, I will not lose!”
“Is he serious?” George whispered to Twilight.  “What’s he going to do with a quill?  Write on our faces while we’re asleep?”
Davenport put the quill in his mouth and his eyes glowed.  Then, his quill suddenly started to expand.  Twilight and George both gaped when it grew into a giant quill-shaped sword, roughly the size of a standard sofa.
“Does that answer your stupid question?” Isis said and looked a little surprised herself.
While they were still waking up from the shock, Davenport swung his giant sword at them.  Twilight screamed and used her magic to push George out of the way as she jumped back.  She felt wind blow through her hair from the force of his swing.  She tried to use her magic to push him back but was surprised when his armor flashed and her spell died.  
“Not good,” Twilight turned and ran when Davenport charged.  “Not good, not good!”  She continued to try various spells but his armor nullified every one and his sword sliced through anything physical she tried to throw at him.  Finally out of options, Twilight winked out, disappearing and reappearing a few feet behind Davenport.  She galloped back to George, who was backing away from Isis.
“You really thought you could bring me back?  You ponies are less than pathetic.”  Her horn glowed and several spheres of blue light appeared.  “The games over.  Are you ready for this?”
“Yes!” George waved his staff, igniting a flash.  The spheres evaporated, but Isis didn’t look very worried.
“How long can you keep that up?  Look at you.  You’re already tired.” 
George was breathing hard.  The spells he knew always seemed to take a lot out of him.  There was no way he could stop Isis the way she was now.  Twilight prepared to defend herself, but paused when she heard Davenport walking up behind her.  They were surrounded.
“How sad.  I thought I was going to be able to enjoy this.  Oh well.”  Isis horn lit up again, but this time she paused, grimacing a little.  After a moment, her smile returned.  “You’re boring me.  This isn’t even worth my time.  You’re no threat to me.”  She spread her wings and floated into the air.  “Come my little knight, we have better things to do.”  She lifted Davenport with her magic, which for some reason worked despite the armor, and took off.
It took Twilight a moment to realize that it was over and they had somehow survived.
“Darn that Isis.  She made a foal of me,” George slumped on the ground.  “And Davenport…”  He growled.  Then he shook his hoof in the air and screamed, “I’m still going to hate you and your family for all of eternity!  Make that indefinite eternity now!”
“George, calm down.  That’s not helping right now,” Twilight said and took a deep breath.  Still, it wasn’t hard to understand his frustration.  “So, now what?  We can’t follow them in the air.”
George hit his staff on the ground.  It was amazing that it didn’t break with as much as he did that.  “I don’t know,” he answered gruffly.  “I’m not sure there’s anything we can do.  I… I’m not prepared for anything like this.”
“What happened?  Why didn’t she finish us off?”
“I don’t know, she…” George growled under his breath.  “She must have used a lot of power transforming Davenport.  If she loses too much, she would revert back to her parasite form.  She probably didn’t want to risk the chance we had the containment box, even though Davenport would have protected her.”
“What do you mean?  Does the form she’s in make a difference?”
“If the containment box could work on her in her original pony form then it would work on anypony.  It only works if the Drudges are in that other form.”
“What!?  Then you mean…”
“Yes.  Even if we had it, the containment box is useless while she’s in that false alicorn form.”
Twilight drooped.  Now things had gotten even more complicated, the worst of which was that Davenport had been changed into Quilleficent or whatever he had called himself.	  And if he was anything like Night Mare Moon, then only the Elements of Harmony could change him back.
“I could try to give our cart wings and bring it to life or…”  That was a really dangerous idea.  She had never tinkered with flight in any of her magic studies other than the wings she made for Rarity that one time, but that spell was too difficult to do more than once in a day.	In any case, she couldn’t fight both Isis and Davenport by herself.  In fact, both she and George together couldn’t do it.
“Let’s go back to others,” Twilight finally said.  “The only way we can deal with Isis now is as a team.”
“I don’t know about that.  Unicorns are the only ones who could fight her as she is now and you and I are the only ones strong enough to even attempt it.”
“You don’t know much about the magic of friendship do you?  Do you have any friends?”
“I’m currently the world’s only member of the Council of Mystics.  I take my studies very seriously.  I’m not even home very often.”
Twilight started to make her way to the cart.
“That’s really sad.  No wonder Trixie want’s your approval.”
“What’s my daughter have to do with anything?  She’s doing just fine.  If she would focus more, she has her own raw talent she could tap into.”
“If you know that, then maybe you could help her focus.”
“Honestly, I haven’t been able to figure out how and she may very well be stronger than me anyway.”
Twilight stopped with a hoof in the cart.  “What do you mean?”
“I tried to teach her about magic once before, but she just didn’t seem to get it.  I got a little frustrated actually.  Then when I wasn’t looking, something happened and she displayed some amazing power.  That’s actually when she got her cutie mark.  I tried to get her to do it again but she just didn’t seem to remember it.  If she’s going to be a great magician, it’s going to be through her own effort.”
“Is that why you treat her the way you do?”
“I suppose it is.  I can’t think of any other way.”
Twilight smiled.  “Come on, get in.”  George raised an eyebrow at her and managed to pull himself inside this time.  “Take a lesson from Fluttershy and try a little kindness every once in a while.  No one improves on sheer effort alone.  Sometimes they need a little support.” 
George went silent as Twilight cast a life spell and the cart started to move.