It was a very old saying.
The oldest.
Demons run when a good pony goes to war.
And an invisible war had come to Equestria.
Numerous eyes, not always in pairs, turned to the newcomer arriving at the hidden base.
“Anypony need a Doctor?”
“Doctor Whooves, a welcome sight. We stand a chance in this daunting fight”
Zecora, dressed in hardy forest armour and sporting a massive Mohawk that would put a Minotaur’s battle-axe to shame, beamed at him.
“The Dark Horse Squad are assembled and ready. But our march must be handled safe and steady. The Deceiver’s armies flock to his banner. So in his works, we must throw in a spanner”
“Well, maybe a screwdriver can suffice” the Doctor chuckled as he came across numerous friends across Equestria assembled for Luna’s secret army, the Dark Horse Squad, comprised of mysterious specialists, venturing where nopony else could, fighting in the darkness to serve the light.
Numerous familiar faces greeted him. Screwloose and Screwball were applying finishing touches to lethal-looking weaponry with a little too much enthusiasm, Steven Magnet the Sea Serpent fussed with his hair, spraying and combing it to ensure it would hold shape during battle and, in the corner of the room, a little white rabbit pawed at a heavy firearm, muttering.
“I’ll make this right, Fluttershy...I promise...He won’t hurt you anymore...I won’t hurt you anymore”
“Eh, what’s up, Doc?” the Doctor appeared from behind him with a goofy smile.
“Hey, Doctor...” Angel managed a smile.
“You alright, bunny boy?”
Angel looked up, his face sullen but determined.
“He’s out there, Doc. I know it. I’ve seen him...The one who nearly destroyed my life...who nearly destroyed Fluttershy”
“Gevaudan. The Big Bad Wolf, the one you saw in your nightmares”
“He turned me into a monster, Doc”
“Come on, Angel. You weren’t a monster, you were a grouch”
“A grouch who hit the kindest, gentlest pony any rabbit could ever meet” He was close to tears “The day she lost it, the day ‘New Fluttershy' came into town...I did that to her, Doctor...me...All because I wasn’t getting enough sleep...I turned her against her friends, against everypony...not even Discord could do it without cheating but I...”
“Angel, come here” The time-travelling stallion gave the remorseful bunny a hug. It had been a very hectic day for all involved when Fluttershy made a change. And the Doctor, the only pony around who could speak rabbit, had been there for Angel when he realised what he’d done. Horrible and repetitive nightmares had made the bunny incredibly irritable.
And on that day, he’d done the unthinkable and paid the price for it. Fluttershy, his mother-figure, his protector, had frightened him.
Though the day had ended fairly easily for most, Fluttershy, privately of course, had secretly dealt with a major guilt trip which still hurt her to this day.
And this, in turn, made Angel’s that much worse.
“She forgave you, Angel. It’s over now. You need to move on”
“She forgave me because that’s just what she does...She’s always forgiving ponies, even if they don’t deserve it...” Angel whimpered “Who else will forgive me if I can’t forgive myself? Every time I close my eyes, I see her face, the tears on her cheeks...and the slap I gave her...”
“Angel, mate, listen” He looked the white rabbit in the eyes “You’re looking at a stallion who’s done a lot of things he ended up regretting...and usually forgetting. You haven’t forgotten. That makes you ahead of me by quite a bit. But it’s important to move on once you’ve made up for it. So let’s get out there, bring down Gevaudan and all the other monsters and then, when Flutters comes home, really make an effort. Show her how much you care, eh?”
Angel gave a smile.
“Thanks Doc,” He pumped his firearm and yelled in anticipation “Right, Gevaudan, I hope you’re ready for a bunny-beatdown! You hear me, ya mangy mutt?! I’m gonna’ get WATERSHIP DOWN on your ass!”
“That’s the spirit” The Doctor patted him on the back and walked on, heading through the base until he met with the commander.
Princess Luna stood at a great podium in the bunker, speaking with Sparkler and a dark grey batpony with colourless eyes and a navy blue cloak.
As the Doctor approached, Luna faced him and smiled, the batpony bowing and departing into the shadows.
“Doctor. Your coming brings us no small amount of hope”
“Let’s hope it lasts” the Doctor sighed “Hey Sparky. Thanks for helping out” The Doctor gave his niece a friendly ruffle of the mane “Are Tootsie and Dinky alright?”
“We are placing all remaining citizens in places of safety but those two have not been found yet” Luna answered “They was seen between Ponyville and Trottingham. Fear not, Doctor. We are ready to conduct an emergency search. Your friends will not abandon you or your family” Luna gave him a nuzzle as he made his way toward the main bunker.
“This is all so...different” Sparkler said with amazement as they journeyed through the bunker “I never knew these ponies got up to this kind of thing without any of us knowing”
“Well, thanks for giving your crazy old uncle a chance to explain himself” the Doctor chuckled.
It had been an awkward day when Tootsie Flute accidently locked herself in the ‘Timey-Wimey Box’ while playing hide-and-seek with Dinky. They had thanked Celestia she’d had the sense not to press anything. But, naturally, the Doctor had to come clean to his new nieces about what he got up to.
Still, it was hardly the strangest thing Sparkler had ever come across. A town where Pinkie Pie had a say in most matters was never a stranger to curious cases.
They found Madam Coldblood and Spinning Jenny training with their boken, wooden training swords. Blunderbuss was adding some finishing touches to his beloved grenades and in the corner of the room an old acquaintance appeared to be chatting up Miss Harshwhinny.
“Hey, you come here often? Its okay, I like a mare with a lot of experience. Trust me, those wrinkles on your face are in all the right places, just hope it’s the same of the rest of you. No, don’t be like that, I got the same. What’s say we compare?”
‘Thwack’
Scowling, Miss Harshwhinny stormed out of the room, brushing past the Doctor, while the stallion who’d incurred her ire got up off the floor.
“She’ll be back” he chuckled, before noticing the time-traveller, leaping to his hooves and wrapping him in a hug.
He was a navy blue pegasus with a slicked-back silver mane and a cocky smile. A very old friend of the Doctor.
Though he’d much prefer more than friends.
“Yo! Doctor Do-It-Right, how’s it going! Come ‘ere, ya big old stud!”
“Captain Jack Heartthrob” the Doctor chuckled “I can honestly say I’ve missed you”
“Wow. That’s gotta’ be the longest duration of time anypony has ever said that to me since leaving. I mean seriously, sometimes I get that when coming back to the bed after a pee break”
“Too much information, mate...and too much hugging, paws off!” He swatted away a hoof sliding a little too far down his back.
“Fabulous bottom, Doc. As always. Derpy’s a very lucky stallion”
“Mare”
“Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?” he chuckled. He was an impulsive chuckler.
In truth, he was an impulsive stallion.
“Let me say, Doc. Excellent catch! That little pegasus has a face to die for. So goddamn cute! That irresistible aura of innocence about her!” He made a girlish squeak then frowned “Now that I think about it, that’s actually kind of a turn-off. It’d be like...doing it with a plush-toy”
“Jack!” the Doctor exclaimed.
He spun round, smiling.
“Still here, ready and waiting at your service. Where do you want it?”
“Stop it, Jack, okay! She means more to me than anypony can imagine. We’ve been through some tough times to get where we are”
“Hey, hey, all serious now” He patted his shoulder “We won’t let you down. It’s great that you’ve found your true calling and I’m really liking Ponyville. Hay, that green unicorn and the earth pony with the pink and blue mane? Totally cute together. Though they get up to some pretty adventurous stuff in the bedroom. That maid and policemare bit? Whoo-hoo-hoo! That’s my kind of police brutality! They were sleeping that off for a full day! Best Intel-Gathering Operation Ever!”
“Seriously? Jack, you’re an international, interdimensional secret agency operative not an erotic film producer!”
Jack shrugged.
“In practice, they’re basically the same except operatives don’t tell ponies when the camera’s on them” He spun round exuberantly and kissed Sparkler on the hoof.
“Captain Jack Heartthrob, I’m a stallion who loves meeting new ponies”
“Stop it”
“Hey, come on, Doc. I’m not gonna try anything with your family. I’m insatiable, not suicidal”
Coldblood and Jenny had ended their spar and turned to face the Doctor.
“Doctor” Coldblood said “With your company, we are ready to begin our search and rescue operation”
“Right” The Doctor checked himself and held up his screwdriver “Good to go?”
“Yeah, great. The old sonic screwdriver. If we ever run into the army of the killer wardrobes, we’ll know who to call” Jack chuckled.
“Wouldn’t be the first time”
“Yeah...I still owe you that drink”
“Well, they weren’t, strictly speaking, wardrobes so much as living plastic but same result”
Jenny cleared her throat.
“We’ve got a location. But bad news. The Deceiver’s Legions are a mite early...and they came from the east of here not the north, bypassing Trottingham”
“Oh nononono, not good. Not good at all. We need to get out there fast!” The Doctor ran for the doors, his companions in swift succession.
“My ultra-seismic precision nitro bolter is functional!” Blunderbuss cackled, lovingly cradling a bulky but intricate Demolition Dog rifle “Let us show them the glory and terror of the 10th Demolition Dog Battle Den!”
“Master - Long-Range Scan Complete - Daughter Of Master Located At Coordinates 290406”
The Doctor’s eyes widened and a smile broadened his face as a bizarre contraption glided into the room, speaking in a stilted, robotic voice and doing the closest thing it could to wagging its tail.
“Doctor...” Sparkler asked, dumbfounded “Is that a metal dog?”
“Correctamundo! A word I have never used before and hopefully never will again! Ladies and gentlecolts, this is K9. K9 the Great as he’s called some few centuries into the past and future. He’s another very old and very dear friend, aren’t you, K9?”
“Affirmative Master – Suggest Following Coordinates Immediately”
“Right. Time for tearful reunion’s later, once Dinky’s safe and sound. We’re off!”
“You gonna’ say it, Doctor?” Jack asked.
The Doctor smiled and declared, at the top of his voice.
“Allons-y!”
*
The hills and meadows between Ponyville and Trottingham were beautiful.
And tremendously fun when racing over them as fast as four little hooves could carry oneself as Dinky Doo and Tootsie Flute where finding out.
The Wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armour would be taking place tomorrow but the Doctor had the means to take them to the wedding in the span of a few moments, he claimed. They were always puzzled by Dinky’s father and his mysterious powers but it certainly gave them time to enjoy themselves. Derpy had gone with the Bearers of Harmony but Dinky and Tootsie had chosen to enjoy the Ponyville spring for a couple more days.
“Down the hill again, Tootsie!” Dinky cried merrily, lying flat on her belly with her forelegs outstretched and slightly cushioning her face as she and her cousin, whom she had gotten quite used to calling ‘sister’, rolled down the hill, giggling nonstop.
“Again, again!” the little periwinkle unicorn cheered, racing back up the hill.
Tootsie Flute gave a great puffing exhale of exhaustion.
“I wish the hill didn’t take so long in getting up” she groaned.
“Aw, but then rolling down it wouldn’t last as long, so it wouldn’t be fun” Dinky pointed out “Sometimes good things need a little bad to make them that way. That’s what my parents say”
Tootsie weighed her cousin’s words.
“Makes sense, I guess...wait...do you hear that?”
There was the sound of a muffled breathing, almost like air sucked through a straw.
Curious, the two fillies followed the sound, searching through the tall grass.
“Aha!” Dinky cried, startling the one responsible for the noise.
It was a colt. He must have been about their age but he looked significantly younger as one could only assume he hadn’t hit his growth spurt yet. He had a short, messy mane and was possessed of a piebald coat, rare in Ponyville. It quickly became clear how he had caused the noise.
He was using an inhaler.
And appeared to need at that moment, with Dinky jumping out at him.
“I...I...I’m sorry” he gasped “I...I wasn’t following you, honest...I was just...er...I was...”
“It’s okay. We’re not like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon with their silly ‘No Slimy Colts’ policy” Dinky chuckled as she and Tootsie eyed him. He was one of the most curious-looking ponies they’d ever seen “You know, you sound just like my daddy”
“Oh, um...thanks...” he mumbled, finally catching his breath “Sorry...I lose my breath quite easily...condition...doctors say it won’t last long though...”
“That’s okay” Dinky said smiling. The colt took a moment to look at her smile.
It wasn’t long before he was smiling back.
“Um...hello...” he said with some amount of effort.
“Hi. I’m Dinky, Dinky Doo. And this is my cousin, Tootsie Flute, but I call her my sister”
“Ah...how do you do?” the little colt got to his hooves at last “My name’s Pipsqueak”
“That’s a nice name” Tootsie piped up.
“Um...glad you like it...I don’t...” he replied sullenly “I prefer just ‘Pip’ if that’s alright”
“Pip’s nice too. You wanna’ play with us, Pip?” Dinky chirruped.
“Uh...okay” He gave an awkward look at his surroundings “What are you playing?”
“Well, we started off by playing ‘Roll down the hill’ but if you like playing something we could do that”
Pipsqueak thought a moment.
“Do you like playing pirates?”
*
“I just know you’re back when we’re running like hay” Jack chuckled breathlessly “Ugh, geez...I need to get back in shape...but you know how it is when you know what all your gym partners are like in the sack!”
“No, Jack, I don’t and I probably don’t need to” the Doctor grumbled as he and his companions followed K9, moving fast for a metal dog, to where Dinky had been located.
K9’s ears started spinning as he spoke.
“Alert - Multiple Life Forms Approaching And Indicating Hostility - Recommend Defence Mode”
From the clouds above, there came a hellish screech as swarms of white, bat-like creatures with gleaming foot-long talons came swooping down towards them.
"What the hay are those?!" Sparkler screamed.
“Ambush! Defensive positions! Repel the enemy!” Blunderbuss bellowed as he took aim with his bizarre gun and fired.
A blast of bright blue lightning shot out and unleashed a mild shockwave in the middle of the swarm, sending them scattering.
“Ha! Direct hit! Keep the flying vermin separated!” the Demolition Dog cackled.
“Flying Furies! Flipping fantastic!” the Doctor snapped, reaching for his screwdriver. The sound it emitted caused the winged harriers to lost balance entirely, the sonic pulse wrecked havoc with their sonar. With unbearable shrieks they swooped and dived, trying to claw the foe one after the other. Coldblood cut one clean in two with a single strike of her katana while Spinning Jenny leaped up atop one’s back, stabbed it through the neck and sent it careening into another. Sparkler, the only one without gadgets among them, nonetheless demonstrated her skill with magic, ranging from blasts to beams, repelling the nightmarish creatures.
As K9 powered up his laser function, firing beams of bright red at the assailants, the battle seemed won.
Then another, similar, screech came from the side of them as more flocks of Flying Furies descended from the sky.
“We can’t let them hold us back!” the Doctor ordered “If they’re sending small forces to distract us, we’re not who they’re after! Keep running!”
*
“Yarr, avast on the port side! Avast!” Pip cried merrily.
“A vast what?” Dinky asked, struggling not to giggle.
“I don’t know but it’s pretty big!” the little pinto made an effort to stand on his hind legs as he put one forehoof above his eyes in an observant gesture “Ahoy! ‘Tis Moby Duck! Thar’ she blows!”
“What are you talking about? Ducks don’t blow”
“Well, whatever it is they do, she’s doin’ it! Duck ho, on the port bow! Man the cannons! She’s gettin’ away! Faster yer swabs, faster!”
“More steam! More steam!” Tootsie yelled, getting into the spirit.
“Gar, this be a sailin’ boat, ye landlubber!”
“Oh yeah...More wind! More wind!”
“Arr, we’re gainin’ on ‘er. She’ll not get away this time! Forty years I’ve awaited this moment!” Pipsqueak gave a cackle that, the two fillies supposed, was trying to sound menacing as Pipsqueak raised one eyebrow at them “Arr! Yes, I know what you’ve said about me! I know what’s been whispered on this ship! Ye all think I’m a raving madam! I...” He paused “Wait...”
Dinky and Tootsie doubled up laughing. Red in the face, Pipsqueak stammered out an explanation.
“I...I misspoke! I m-meant to say ‘mad’. A madpony! I’m...pffhaha...I’m not...I’m...” It became too much for the colt as he joined his new friends in their wild laughter, rolling on the grass and clutching his sides.
“Okay...okay...” Dinky was first on her hooves “Okay...so...Moby Duck?”
“Oh yeah” Pipsqueak scrambled upright and gave another bellow "Raise the main sail! We're goin' after 'er!"
Dinky found it so cute when Pipsqueak was shouting. It wasn’t shrill or even very loud but it was filled with so much enthusiasm it was impossible not to feel heartened.
He’d had to pause to use his inhaler a couple of times but he still seemed upbeat enough to continue.
“Man the cannons, ye swabs! I’ll sink the scurvy bird if it be the last thing I do!”
“Look out! Kraken to starboard!” Tootsie cheered, pointing wildly to the side.
To their surprise, they noticed a tentacle emerging from the grass. A black glistening tendril, brushing through the grass like a snake.
“Um...Hello?” Dinky asked, taking a step back “Mr Kraken? Are...Are you friendly?”
“Oh yes...Very...”
A distinctly unsettling voice came from behind them.
They turned and screamed, scrambling backwards on the grass as a hideous, emaciated stallion emerged, grinning morbidly.
He was unlike anything they’d ever seen before. His coat was a blotchy mixture of sickly dark blues and greens and his mane was black, oily and hung over his face and neck in strands. His glowing eyes were bright yellow and without pupils or irises, a pair of sheer pools of bile. His teeth were sharp and dribbling a yellow liquid that glowed like his eyes. He had a crooked horn that pointed downwards and appeared cracked and rotten. But most noticeably his back was dotted with holes, like a honeycomb, from which emerged a brace of writhing tentacles that had slowly pointed towards the three foals.
“Hello children” he purred “Can I play too?”
Tootsie screamed and turned to run. A great red paw slammed into the ground in front of her as a crimson horned dog-like creature standing on its hind legs and wielding a battle-axe snarled at her, followed by several more of its kind surrounding them.
The stallion drew himself up with a smirk.
“I am Morlock” he declared “Son of the Great Deceiver, Marephistallion. We have returned as we always vowed we would and we seek the ancient enemy known as the Doctor. His offspring dwell here. The scent of the time-turner, of Emelpi’s ashes, of countless lost reflections into time and space, is heavy on the air. One of you...came from him”
The dog-beasts growled with slathering jaws, pawing at their axes as the three foals stared into Morlock’s hungry, sadistic eyes. Dinky felt Tootsie Flute huddle up to her, quivering. As Dinky clutched at her shoulder, Pipsqueak, hooves shaking with every step, slowly placed himself in front of his two new friends.
“I grow impatient...” Morlock sneered “Answer me or your short lives will end in mortal agony...I think I’ll have the blue one killed first. She lacks the look of a time-turner and my hellhounds are very hungry”
Tootsie Flute began to cry into her sister’s shoulder. Dinky looked up at the strange monstrous pony who wanted her life.
She didn’t know where he’d come from, why he was after her family or what he would do with her. All she knew was that Tootsie would die in pain if she didn’t come forward.
Shutting her eyes tight and trying hard not to think of what might befall her, she opened her mouth to speak.
“It’s me”
The voice that had spoken had not been Dinky’s.
Both fillies’ eyes snapped open to see Pipsqueak standing before the terrifying creature before them, trying hard to remain standing on his rattling hooves. As Morlock raised one eyebrow, the little pinto colt spoke again.
“I’m the one you’re after...The Doctor’s child...I’ll come with you...but let Dinky and Tootsie go...that’s all I ask”
“P-P-Pip...No!” Dinky gasped.
“It’s alright, Dinky...” Pip closed his eyes “I can do this...just...be safe for me...alright?”
“Heh...brave little colt...I’m hardly surprised” Morlock mused as he slid a tentacle around Pipsqueak’s four hooves, hoisting him up in the air and dangling the colt in front of him, face-to-face.
“I suppose any offspring of the Doctor were hardly likely to look normal” He glanced at the two fillies on the ground “You two might want to run home. Let them know the Deceiver’s legions are at their door”
They managed to find their hooves but remained staring at the helpless colt in the grip of a pony out of their nightmares.
“Please run” Pipsqueak pleaded.
“Pip...you can’t”
Dinky was close to tears.
“Please just go!” he yelled. As if on cue, the hellhounds began snarling again, snapping at Tootsie’s fetlocks. Reluctantly, Dinky and Tootsie galloped away back to Ponyville, tears streaming from their eyes.
Little Pipsqueak was left with Morlock, who was eyeing him with amusement.
“Always so determined to save your friends...You take after your father...And like your father...it won’t help them” He nodded to the hellhounds “I think that’s a suitable head-start”
“But...but you said...”
“I said I’d let them go...” Morlock sniggered, holding the whimpering colt by the neck with one tentacle “I didn’t say I wouldn’t follow...and I certainly didn’t say I would let them live” He turned back to the hellhounds, who were getting to all four paws, pawing the ground in anticipation.
He gave an order, his voice possessed of an eerie echo.
“FETCH ME THEIR SOULS!”
*
Far from Ponyville, a young gazelle maiden gave a great sigh of relief as the airship landed at Kimpala docks, overlooking the vast East Zebrican Valley.
Her perils were over at last.
Since escaping that horrible palace of pain and humiliation, she had taken the route to the Wilderlands of Zebrica via the Salt Road, a journey that had lasted her two months. Her old tormentor had sent seekers, of course. She’d barely lost them at Al’Farasnahr, hid for days in a village in Cameloon and at Gnubangi, several friends she’d made over her journey gave their lives to bide her time.
But at last it was over.
Finally over.
Stepping forwards, she removed her hood, showing her face to the airship’s passengers. The landing bay was, thankfully, the single landing bay that hadn’t been damaged in a recent explosive accident on the main landing sites and now largely abandoned.
She’d seen the explosion the evening before and had prayed all through the night she wouldn’t have to flee again.
A large contingent of zebra and antelope guards with pikes departed from the airship, bedecked in cobalt-blue armour with green and red-striped cloaks, lining up to surround the landing bay. They made way for their sergeant, a zebra, and a finely-dressed gazelle, like herself. Her cousin, a senior commander of her father’s guard.
“Princess Sembel” he said warmly “Thank Khnum we have found you”
“Qohaito” she sighed “At last...I have never been happier to see you...”
“Come, Princess” Qohaito said “Your father, Emperor Adulis has been consumed with grief the day you were taken from us. All of Antelopia will celebrate your return, you’ll see. We’ll...”
‘Crack!’
Commander Qohaito staggered and slowly stared at the bullet-hole punched through his chest before toppling to the ground.
Sembel stared, mouth agape at what had transpired.
“Q-Q-Qohaito?” she whimpered.
“Ambush! Defensive positions! Princess, get down!” The sergeant drew a blade and bellowed orders. Almost on signal, three more shots fired, taking out three antelope readying crossbows.
“Sniper! Up th-argh!” A soldier’s alarm was cut off with a bolt to the head.
“Bring up the arbalest!” A corporal cried, taking cover behind a great square shield and preparing her long-range crossbow “This will bring him down!”
Before she could fire, however, a soldier beside her brought his pike down on her neck, severing her head in one blow.
“What are you doing?!” The sergeant roared as the turncoat removed his helm. A red-striped zebra with a spiky white mane and a missing eye smiled as pointed his bloodied pike out before him.
“There’s been a change of plans, Sergeant” he said, his voice possessed of an urban drawl, quite unlike most Zebricans “The Princess is coming with us”
As they clashed, another stranger pounced onto the landing bay from above, a towering pale green stallion encased in the bronze armour of a Neighponese Samurai with a great mask of a fanged horror. The bay shook as he stepped forward, drawing a wickedly-sharp black iron blade. Upon drawing it and sweeping it out across him, four of the guard lay bisected.
“Princess!” the sergeant cried, falling to his knees as the red zebra spun around and sliced him across the fetlocks.
“Run!”
The blade of the red zebra protruded from out his chest as the young gazelle gave a scream and ran.
There was another crack of gunfire and, for a moment, she thought the sharpshooter had gotten her at last.
In fact the shot had fired far above her, launching a zipline from one building to the next which was swiftly made use of by a plumb blue unicorn mare, sniper hovering over her shoulder as she took several more shots of any survivors, before dropping, rolling and stopping Princess Sembel dead in her tracks.
“I would stay put if I were you, miss”
Sembel fell to her knees in shock as the three assailants, hooves red in the blood of those who’d sworn to protect her, surrounded her.
“Please...who are you? Why are you doing this?”
From behind them, there came the sound of a satisfied chuckle and a tapping hoof of approval.
“Very well done, I must say. Almogavar, Kamakiri. Welcome to the team”
The red zebra and the samurai spun round to where the voice was coming from. The zebra stamped the butt of his pike on the ground while the samurai bowed his head low and then raised it in one swift movement.
“You two have performed splendidly. A thorough and patient search and a swift capture. I couldn’t have asked for more. Particularly liked the sabotage yesterday afternoon”
“A good student learns from his master, Cascadius-sama” Katakiri said, his voice low and without mirth.
“Bloodhound and Miura were right to recommend you. And Blue Murder, thank you for taking care of the rookies”
“This’d better be the last time. My own son isn’t nearly as much of a hassle”
The zebra, Almogavar, raised his eyebrows innocently while the armoured hulk, Katakiri, gave a scowl behind his mask.
The stallion named Cascadius simply chuckled.
“No need to worry, these two have more than proven themselves. Solo missions are hereby authorised for the pair of you”
“About damn time” Almogavar scoffed “That hit on Robber Baron in Sugarcandy’s mine!”
“And now, Princess Sembel...I believe it’s time we completed our contract...” Sembel, whimpering, heard the heavy hoof-beats approach her and a hoof take her shoulder. She found herself looking into the eyes of a stallion whose expression of sheer nonchalance and callous calmness made her blood run cold.
“Forgive us for starling you but you see our employer was adamant that your safe and punctual return to him was crucial. I’m afraid Warlord Schnortel has been missing you terribly”
“No...No...” The gazelle shook her head, her breath quickening as she began to scream “NO! Please! I beg you, please! Don’t send me back! Don’t take me back to him!”
“Oh sweetheart, please don’t cry. Here” Cascadius took Sembel’s chin firmly in his hoof, produced a tissue and dried her eyes, smiling “It might not be so bad. Schnortel can be very generous to those who serve him well...at least in our experience”
“Please...I’ll do anything...Whatever he’s paying you, my father will offer twice as much!”
“Oh no, no, no, that won’t do at all” He wagged his hoof like a scolding parent “I don’t break a contract...ever. It’s very bad form. Although, we would of course be willing to take up your father’s offer once our contract is expired...about three years from now. Now, if you could please step on the airship, we should arrive at Morrillia by this time tomorrow if we don’t stop. I hope nopony needs the toilet”
“NO! PLEASE! PLEASE JUST KILL ME! JUST KILL ME!”
“Hey, hey! Shut up! My transceiver’s going” Blue Murder snapped as Sembel was dragged by the two mercenaries into the airship, wailing and sobbing, the ordeals and sacrifices of her two month flight wasted before her.
Blue Murder, meanwhile, held the transceiver to her ear.
“Hey love, everything alright?” He face went from cheerful to concern in moments “Sorry? A...A monster attack? A monster army attack?! You...You’re sure they’re heading towards Trottingham...Bloody hay, alright, hide in the clock tower. Mom’s on her way...I love you”
She turned to Cascadius with terrified eyes.
“It’s Tungsten!” her voice wavered “He’s in danger!”
The paymaster did not pause as he produced a hearthstone.
“Use it quickly and make sure you aren’t followed. Hopefully no-one in Kimpala can track these. I’ll send for some help. Good luck”
Blue Murder nodded, lit up her horn and used the hearthstone, disappearing in a flash of sepia.
As the sobbing Sembel was bundled into the airship, Cascadius set about clearing the platform, tossing the corpses over the cliffs and into the valley. The valley did not lack for predators and would, no doubt, find the litter of carcasses inviting.
While doing so, he switched on his crystal-operated transceiver and adjusted the frequency to all contact levels. The screen showed various green and red lights on a map, signifying where his colleagues were and if they available or not.
“Everypony, we have a situation. I need all available commanders to head to Trottingham as quickly as possible, by whatever means necessary”
“Some of us are a little busy at the moment, Cass” He heard Bloodhound’s voice “What’s going on in merry old Trottingham?”
“Tungsten’s in danger”
“We’re on our way” Bloodhound hadn’t paused as various green lights and even some red ones went blue, signifying acceptance and progress in a job.
Cascadius smiled.
*
“We can’t keep this up!” Jenny yelled, cutting down three more Flying Furies who strayed too close to her blade “They’re regrouping up there, coming at us in waves! We’re pinned down”
“Do not worry, sir” Blunderbuss beckoned “I shall momentarily adjust seismic levels to ninth-level exterminatory mode. Grant me cover”
Jack stepped in with a Sonic Blaster, firing off several crack-shots.
“I’m covering for ya’, short stuff. Hoping I can cover you in a totally different way later”
“Now is not the time, Jack!” the Doctor yelled, setting his screwdriver to a higher frequency.
“Wait...” Coldblood said, eyes upon the sky “They’re not regrouping. They’re retreating! Look...”
Sure enough, the Flying Furies were ascending back into the clouds, leaving behind the dead and wounded, screeching and cawing all the while.
“Well, ladies...” Jack caught his breath “It would seem, for once, I lasted longer than the gang of bat creatures”
“This is gonna’ be a thing with you, isn’t it” Jenny shot him a look of distaste.
“I can tell this is your first time with him” the Doctor chuckled “K9, what are your thoughts”
“I Am Not Programmed To Detect Innuendo, Master - I Apologise”
“No, no. Why did the Flying Furies take off?”
“Scanners Detect Long-Range Recall Signal On Infernal Frequencies - All Demonic And Undead Life-Forms In The Area Obey”
“Can you follow them?”
“Affirmative - Tracing Enemy Activity...” His ears suddenly started spinning “Alert - Demonic Presence Approaching At High Velocity - Subjects In Pursuit Of Two Equine Life-Forms”
Blunderbuss removed a pair of military binoculars and looked out over the hills.
“I see two colts approaching”
“Fillies” Coldblood corrected him.
“Yes, ma’am...and something else...” His paws leapt to his rifle “Ha! Hellhounds! Demon-loving traitors to the canine race! Open fire!”
“Watch your fire! That’s Dinky and Tootsie!” the Doctor yelled, catching sight of the two terrified fillies.
“S’alright, love. You wouldn’t trust us with guns if we weren’t any good with ‘em” Jenny grunted as she and Coldblood coolly drew flintlocks and fired on the hellhounds.
“Maximum Defence Mode!” K9 declared as round after round of bullets, bolts and lasers peppered the pursuers, bringing down around half their number before the remnants turned tail and fled.
“Daddy!” Dinky cried.
“Sparky!” Tootsie wailed.
“Dinky! Come here, little muffin!” the Doctor held out his hooves.
“Tootsie! It’s okay, I’m here!” Sparkler did likewise.
“Halt!”
The two pairs were suddenly cut off from each other as Coldblood, Jenny, Blunderbuss and Jack pointed their firearms at the two terrified fillies.
“What are you doing?!” Sparkler shrieked.
“You will answer the following questions, without delay” Coldblood ordered grimly “Move an inch closer and we will fire. Miss Dinky Doo, what was the name of your grandmother?”
“I...I...please...” Dinky curled up on the ground.
“Just answer the question”
“L-Looking Glass...”
“Good. And what was her nickname among the community her husband grew up in? Quickly please”
“D-D-Ditzy...”
“Good. And Miss Tootsie Flute, what was the name of you and your sister’s best friend during your foal-hood who travelled with you until Miss Sparkler found her a home?”
“Foxglove...her name was Foxglove...” Tootsie whimpered.
“What colour was her coat and mane?”
“Magenta coat...and a purple mane with a green streak”
Coldblood nodded as she and the others turned away their guns.
The two fillies fell, sobbing into the arms of their family.
“What the hay was that?” Sparkler barked.
“My most sincere apologies, Miss Sparkler, but Marephistallion is not called the Deceiver without reason. We had to ensure they were not spies”
The Doctor hugged Dinky tightly, tears rolling down his own cheeks as he whispered to his daughter.
“It’s okay, Dinky, it’s okay...I’m here...it’s okay”
“No...No it isn’t” the little periwinkle unicorn sobbed “They’ve got Pip! He took Pip!”
“Who’s Pip?” Jenny asked.
“Our new friend...we were playing in the hills when a really scary stallion showed up...he said his name was Morlock...”
“The Soulsnatcher, son of Marephistallion and Serendipity” Coldblood whispered grimly.
“He...he said he wanted the Doctor’s child...And he said he’d kill Tootsie if...if...”
“It’s alright, Dinky, just tell me happened” the Doctor said, drying his daughter’s tears.
“Pip...he said he was your son...and Morlock took him and those big dogs chased us here...and I don’t know what he’s doing to Pip!” As she broke down crying again, the Doctor slowly looked up at his companions.
“Well then...” he said, steeling himself “Let’s go get him back!”
“Doctor, is that necessary?” Coldblood asked “If Marephistallion believes he already has your child, we may have time to bolster our defences at Ponyville. It’s an unpleasant circumstance, I know, but...”
“But nothing!” the Doctor stood up, eyes blazing “A young colt gave his life to protect my daughter. What’s happened here isn’t his fault, nor is it Dinky’s fault. It’s my fault and I’m gonna’ fix it. We’re gonna’ go in there and save that kid. I chose to stay in Ponyville to avoid blood on my hooves. Not again, not after all I’ve done. Pip does not die today. I won’t allow it!”
There was a pause.
“Very well, Doctor” Coldblood said, bowing “Let us go on the offensive”
“Aha! Spoken like a true Demolition Dog, ma’am!” Blunderbuss yapped with glee.
“Sparkler, can you take Dinky and Tootsie to Ponyville? Princess Luna will be waiting for you, make sure she knows what happened”
“I’ll do my best, Doc” Sparkler nodded as her uncle craned down and kissed Dinky on the cheek.
“Don’t worry, love. We’ll get him back. I promise”
The Doctor tried never to look back but he found himself doing so regardless as Sparkler took the two fillies on her back and rushed back the way they came.
“Right then...” the time-traveller growled, looking forward “Time to send the demons running!”