//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirteen - Special Reprise // Story: The Midnight Mares - Crazy Canterlot Catastrophe. // by Ausbrony //------------------------------// “Three tangos at seven o’clock, minotaur, earth pony, zebra!” Midnight nodded and grinned as she minced her way through the forces. She was like a furry blender, chaos and destruction. Quick had never seen her fight like this. She moved like water, each step was placed perfectly, each stroke of her blade designed to incapacitate, but not kill. It was both terrifying and beautiful.   Honestly, the pegasus mare was impressed, and glad that she had followed along even after all her complaints. She roundhouse kicked two other guys mid-air and grabbed hold of a third one, using him as a living shield to stop the magical stun bolts that were fired at the two, and then throwing the now unconscious shield at the one that fired, “We’re almost there!”   “Roger,” Midnight said as she dove into a shadow. Now the zombies own shadows stabbed out at them. The blades narrowly missing in gelding one stallion as she knocked out another half dozen.   “Come out, come out wherever you aarree~” Midnight sang out from everywhere and nowhere. “Come on you little ButterBitch. Come and fight like a bug… pony… thing.”   The collective scowls of anger from the remaining males were quickly followed by a combined attack on the two, all jumping at the same time at her with a variety of deadly weapons.   “No you don’t!” Quick grinned and sped up by a lot, doing circles around Midnight and catching the males in a whirlwind of punches and kicks delivered at max speed. After half a minute, Quick had eight different stallions laying unconscious in a circle, chuckling in amusement, “Now this is fun. Just two friends kicking the hell out of heavily armoured zombies, good times don’t you think Midnight?”   “Oh, you really know how to show a mare a good time,” Midnight said with a rather lusty moan as she punched a stallion so hard he collided with another one, knocking out the both of them.   Quick Step laughed and took hold of quite possibly the final conscious male in the room, and with a mighty buck sent him crashing against a large, iron door: The pegasus landed right in front of said door and sighed, not even needing to enter any passwords due to how broken it was. One push, and it fell down, giving them easy access into the largest room yet. Rows after rows of shelves and crates greeted them, and not only that but they found themselves in the middle of a battlefield.   Two pegasi were fending off against a minotaur, who threw his hammer at the two mares and knocked them out cold. Yet it wasn’t long until a diamond dog climbed on top of the minotaur’s head head and knocked him out. On the distance, a unicorn mare used a large quarterstaff to knock four stallions out of their hooves, yet her victorious grin was interrupted by a zebra who jumped on top of her.   And was quickly lifted up into the air and then thrown from several hooves above by a very familiar-looking griffon who with a mighty screech, dived back down to knock out eight different males that had lined up just perfectly in one go, her movements swift yet deadly, her punches quick yet jaw-breakingly powerful, and her style graceful and efficient at the same time.   “What the— Oh come on!?” Midnight blinked and sighed. “First Pockets, now her? What is it with everypony stealing my thunder? I'm the main character dammit!”   “You want your thunder, earn it.” Quick said as she kicked an incoming stallion, before flying up towards the griffon, “Cover my back, if anyone can tell us what to do, it’s Cereza!”  And of course, four male pegasi took off behind her, swords and pikes at ready in their hooves.   “Celestia dammit!” Midnight swore. She flicked her wings as her blades detached from their grips, thin wires still held them to her as she flicked her wings, the wired blades neatly slicing through the primary feathers of their wings and sent them spiralling into the floor. One more flick saw her swords return. “Tch! Where’s Aroma? I have a hamster ball with her name on it.”   Cereza turned to them, and then back to kicking the hell out of a fellow griffon which she sent pummelling down the floor, “Dear, I’d list a hundred different reasons why you being here is a terrible idea, but there’s no time. My brother is in the vault, the actual one, trying to hold Aroma and her two new friends back. There’s a hatch right beneath those three zombie earth ponies, go down there and keep moving until you find the sealed door. The code is Liberate, Protect, Serve, Eliminate. Go, now!” She ordered and kicked two more incoming males.   Quick grabbed Midnight’s hoof and dived down, throwing her at the growling stallions that tried, and failed, to open the hatchet.   “I am not a weapon!” Midnight yelled as she collided with them, the armoured bat was akin to a bowling ball as she knocked them aside. “Ohhh, pwetty birdie~” she sang, her head rolling dizzily.   “No time to be dizzy.” Quick kicked the hatchet open and jumped in, dragging Midnight along with her, “Now, we’ll be facing your two Specialist friends in very close quarters. Tell me you have an idea to avoid getting killed by them.”   “Yup, leave them to me,” Midnight nodded. “I’ll…” Her jubilant mood died off and she sighed. “I’ll use a Command Seal on them. It’s the only way…”   “If that’s the only way then so be it.” Quick sighed and stopped when they finally reached the huge, round sealed door, “They’re probably behind this already, hopefully we don’t find her going batshit insane with the demon’s powers. Ready?”   “Quick, before you do,” Midnight stopped and put a hoof on her shoulder. “I have a favour to ask.”   “What is it?” Quick quirked a brow, getting her katana ready.   “If they have summoned the demon, leave it to me okay? I can deal with it… just, promise me… that you’ll take care of Pockets okay?”   Quick stood silent for a while. She wanted to complain and tell her everything was going to be alright… but even she knew better, “I promise.” She nodded and walked up to the door, “But only if you promise me something back.”   “What?” Midnight said.   “You will go back home safely, marry that mare one day, and have a happy family, the happy family you deserve.” Quick grinned, “And I’ll do everything in my power to see that.”   Midnight nodded, but didn’t verbally promise anything.   “Liberate, Protect, Serve, Eliminate!” The doors were unlocked, and slowly but surely the vault’s door opened, letting them see the labyrinth that was the inside. The groans of unconscious mares was heard, and a trail of blood drops just screamed that something was wrong. Quick followed the trail with her eyes looking everywhere, her ears perked up to try and catch up any suspicious noise.   “I can smell something,” Midnight said and her far more sensitive ears flicked. “Goddess above… what is that?”   “It smells like if someone took a box of cheeze-its and hid it in a coffin, just to open it ten years later.” Quick huffed and kept walking. To be honest, the smell was way too horrid for her liking. They turned corner after corner, until their ears finally caught something.   “Just move out of the way dear, and I won’t hurt you too much.” Came a squeaky, incredibly annoying growl, one they easily identified as Aroma herself.   Yet the following chuckle was what caught Midnight off guard, a modulated, smoky, yet dangerous male voice, “Now now, Miss Aroma. Let us calm down and talk things through before someone does something they might regret. Free my agents, and stay down, and I shall offer you freedom and protection from the crown, who mind you you have pissed to incredible extents. Else, the only thing I’ll be able to offer you is a painful defeat.”   Quick narrowed her eyes at this, signalling Midnight to stay put.   “Ha! Like if I cared what that Princess wants with me. As soon as I get rid of you, I’ll have enough power to make her beg for mercy! Now step aside, or you’ll suffer the same fate as your army of weaklings!”   “You mean those who you were forced to inject? Your powers, they are growing weak, and you’re resulting to potions to keep them stable. After all, you’re not your cousin now are you? In reality you have almost no power.” “Silence!” Aroma screeched, “Enough games, get him!”   Quick signalled Midnight to advance, and the two turned to corner. And when Midnight saw the Breezie in her true form and… well the thestral just laughed.   “Oh sweet Stars! You are just the most adorable thing ever!” she cackled.   The four figures ahead of them froze, Archer and Lancer all just glared at her with narrowed eyes, while Aroma’s already angered glare just intensified even further. The fourth figure, a griffon Midnight had never seen before, just chuckled and shook his head.   “Well you had your chance Miss Aroma. Evening Agent Step, Specialist Midnight.” He greeted.   “Midnight,” Quick nudged the thestral with a flat tone, “Stop it.” She kept nudging the mare rolling on the ground, “That’s incredibly unprofessional and you’re making a fool of herself.” Nudge, nudge, and another nudge. Midnight just continued to laugh.   “And her voice, she sounds like she’s been sucking helium balloons for an hour. Oh Sweet Celestia, how am I supposed to take her seriouseeeeeeaaaahahahahaha!!!”   Aroma just deadpanned, facehooving hard, “I hate you so much right now.” She squeaked out before pointing at them with a sigh. Suddenly, the ground began shaking violently, and the sound of metal shrieking echoed throughout the hall, it was enough to get Midnight to stop, her ears flat against her head to try and block the noise.   And it was then when she was the origin of the horrifying sound, as what could only be described as thick roots broke through the metal floor and pierced the roof, creating a sturdy, thick, organic wall between the two mares and the breezy.   “Heey, I made her get her wood out,” Midnight smirked. “Aw come on baby, I don’t bite…. Too hard. Don’t tell me you’re scared of me?”   Quick was debating whether having normal Midnight back was a good or a terrible idea, “She probably can’t hear you, that’s most likely why she summoned the wall. Then again, she wouldn’t have summoned the wall if somepony hadn’t been laughing at her.”   “Meh, so we have to do a little gardening… orrrr, I have a crazier idea~”   Quick sighed, looking at Midnight with the flattest of expressions, “I do not like the sound of that. But considering my boss is inside there with two super soldiers and a crazy butterfly… sure, let’s hear it.”   “Meh, I’m more of a dooer,” Midnight smirked and grabbed the mare. “Um, maybe hold your breath?” And with that, she dove into the shadows.   Yeah… Quick Step immediately regretted everything. It was dark… and cold, really cold. She was a pegasus, so she was more tolerant to this but… If there was a time when Filly Quick Step was afraid of the dark, then this brought all that fear back. And yet, she found herself wondering just how Midnight spent all that time in this….   LIGHT!   Midnight emerged from right under Aroma, her hoof pinning her to a wall.   “Surprise, you little fairy bitch,” she smirked, licking her fangs.   Aroma’s eyes were shot open. Just… where did that bloody bat come from?   “Attack her!” Aroma screamed in panic, trying to flap her way out of this one. Yet before Lancer could do anything, Quick Step swooped beneath him and kicked his stomach, cutting his breath. She hugged him, oh wow he was quite soft, and then slammed him down suplex style.   Yet there was still Archer to deal with, and he was already taking aim.   “Stand down,” Midnight said as two large swords pressed against Aroma’s wings. “You know, my dad collects bugs. And as a filly, I once pulled the wings off of some of his butterflies. I wonder… they didn’t scream. Will you~?” That smile she wore… it promised nothing good.   Yet Aroma’s face showed no fear. No, it only showed annoyance, disgust, and malice. “No, but hopefully you will.” The ground shook again, and in less than half a second strange purple vines broke through the floor and took hold of Midnight’s hooves, pulling her back and thus letting Aroma just flap in the air with a sigh. She moved her hoof in the air, and the vines coiled around Midnight, binding her entire body in a quick motion.     ‘Dammit, squash first, then monologue.’ Midnight looked at the vines with wide eyes, then to Quick Step. “Steppy? I’ve seen enough Neighpon comics to know where this is going. Help please?”   Quick rolled her eyes and threw a knife at the vines. Yet just before it could reach the vines, it was pushed away by one of Archer’s light arrows. She threw another one, and another one, and yet another one, but no matter how fast her throws were the stallion seemed to have no problem picking up, “Oh… you gotta be bucki―” She ducked as an arrow flew past her, almost scorching her carefully made mane. “Midnight, do you mind if I beat the heck out of your friend?”   Midnight flinched when a vine touched her flank. “Oh hay NO! Archer, you sarcastic, snarky shitstain! By my Command Seals! I ORDER you to stand down and assist me!” he looked at her as her eyes flashed red, and his followed suit.   “Oh no you don’t, not again!” Aroma growled and called for even more vines, creating a green cocoon which enveloped Midnight on her entirety, not a single noise able to get out, “Slave! I command you to get rid of these two pesky idiots NOW!”   “I only see one,” Archer hummed as he aimed his bow at Quick Step, and drew back a shining golden arrow made of light. He fired.   Quick Step turned as the arrow struck her chest and… oohh, tingly~   It also passed right through her, the magic arrow striking the little Breezie with Celestia’s holy might. Aroma screeched in pain and was sent flying into a wall, grunting in pain. She tried flapping her wings, she tried summoning a breeze, she tried doing anything to get her out of there…   Well crap, nothing worked.   “Well that was rather anti-climatic.” The griffon chuckled and calmly walked up to her, his imposing figure’s shadow engulfing Aroma, “You have amazing powers Miss Aroma, and so much potential. But it is all sadly wasted on such a pathetic excuse for a villain. And to believe I traded one of my best agents for you.” He took out a sword, and pointed at the defeated breezy, “Oh, and by the way, you’re under arrest.”   Aroma squeaked and tried to turn herself into a little ball, this was not how she wanted things to end.   Archer sighed and drew back his bow strings, an arrow fired and expanded into a net, pinning Lancer under it as he looked at the cocoon. A quiet Midnight was rather tolerable wasn’t she?   “Well that’s over.” Quick walked towards the cocoon with a knife at hoof. It took her one second, one second to cut five straight times and break Midnight free, the vines falling to the floor lifelessly, “And hey, what a surprise. Midnight had almost no time to shine, again.”   “Fuck you all,” Midnight muttered. “So Archer, you finally yourself again?”   “Yes, and my actions have been most regrettable,” he nodded. “Sorry for nearly killing you a few times. At least I wasn’t at full strength.”   “Yeah, there’s that,” Midnight nodded. She looked at the fallen Breezie and snorted. “She’s been a complete pain in my ass. Can I arrest her now? I have a marefriend to get back to and have amazing apology sex.”   “Apologies Specialist Midnight, but seeing as Miss Aroma was caught inside my organisation, she belongs to us now. That was the deal me and Celestia had anyways, so it doesn’t matter much in the end.” The griffon said, looking back to Quick Step, “Oh, by the way, you’re fired.”   “Really?” Quick deapdanned.   “The rules are the rules, only agents are allowed in here. You brought in an outsider, and even though she did help us, a punishment is due where it’s due.” He nodded and pulled his sword back, clenching his claw around the breezy, “Alright you can all…” He froze, his ears twitching, his eyes closing. He could feel something, a great, immeasurable power…   And Midnight could feel it as well. This is why the two of them dashed out of the way as soon as the door that lead to the vault was blown up out of its place, almost crashing against Archer. Five orbs of pure dark magic were fired out, chasing every single one of them. It immediately caught Quick Step, Archer, and Lancer, the orbs expanding and keeping them inside, smoke filling their lungs and relieving them of their oxygen.   Gold Quill and Midnight were far more difficult to contain though, as their swift movements and amazing reflexes allowed them to dodge, albeit barely, the orbs that followed without abandon. Yet it was Golden who made the first mistake, trying to slash the orb in two yet only managing to get his sword stuck in it, the arcane sphere being harder than steel itself. It quickly expanded and engulfed the griffon, putting him with the others.   “What the fuck are these things!?’ Midnight screeched, dodging to the right as it flew by. She stepped back, and ducked underneath, running up the wall and then hopping out of the way. Stunt after stunt, she tried to lose the orb, yet it was all for naught. And then there was the sixth orb…   She was caught off guard, the two orbs flanking her and taking hold of the thestral, who was now in the same state as the other four. Breathless, unable to move, and angry. It was then when she caught the sight of three figures walking out of the vault. Two thestrals and a pegasus mare. The youngest thestral she managed to recognise as the thief who attacked her at her parents’ house. Yet the other stallion and the pegasus mare she had never seen before. Yet one thing was for certain, whoever the unknown bat pony was, he now held an incredible power. And it all came from the strange goat-head shaped amulet that hanged from his neck.   He walked up to the shadow orbs, and chuckled in pity at the sight before him, “Two agents of the mighty Golden Swords, and three Specialists of the royal guard. One of them Midnight Song herself, who is said to be one of the most powerful mares alive. The other one Golden Quill, he who can break entire countries with just a few words.” He hummed and his gaze kept wandering over the other three, the two Specialists meaning nothing to him. It was the final orb, the vanilla pegasus mare, who caught his attention, “And of course, Lust, former member of the Seven Deadly Sins. You… you have something that belongs to me.”   Quick’s scream was muffled by the smoke, as a small blue bag that had been around her neck was forcefully pulled out of the orb, floating over to the thestral, “There we go. Two more to go, and I know exactly who can help me get another one.” He turned to Aroma and pulled her closer with his magic, the Breezie most definitely frightened at the sight, her eyes fixed on the amulet that hanged from his neck, “Wrath, where is he?”   “He… he’s hidden. I… I can take you to where I took the amulet!” She squeaked out, missing her breath.   “Good girl, you’ll be an excellent sin once I educate you. Greed is looking for a new host after all.” He threw the Breezie at the pegasus without caring for any pain that she might had felt, looking back at the orbs, specifically, at Midnight’s, “Now Specialist, I have a little message for our dear Princess. Tell her that Aka Manah is back for what it’s rightfully his. If she does not surrender in three days, I shall attack the castle alongside my generals, and show no mercy to her or her armies.” He walked back to Quick Step and sighed, “And you, Quick Step, wasn’t it? I hope that you’re proud of me. Look at this, look… at what your son has achieved!” He stomped on the ground, and the orb exploded, causing Quick Step to screech in pain, a pain that caused her to black out completely. He turned and looked at the rest, before doing exactly the same thing.   A pain that could only be described as a thousand knives cutting through their skin invaded them, leaving everyone in a great deal of pain and agony. Then, once he was done, Midnight looked at him, the only one still conscious…   And made a very offensive gesture with a wing.   The thestral chuckled in amusement, before extending his wings and calling for a vortex of magic that surrounded his allies. And when the vortex died down, they were all gone.     Well everything seemed to be going horribly. With the weird ass thieves, the creepy cousin, and now freaking demons… yeah suddenly dealing with a corrupt mayor didn’t sound so bad. And of course, being stuck in Canterlot unable to do crap, while her marefriend was who knew where kicking some major flank, it was understandable Pockets could have been feeling a tad down.   But she wasn’t.   No, Pockets was tired of just sulking and weeping over the most absurd of things. No! She was going to make the best out of this, and be the best freaking marefriend ever. After all, the one saving Equestria at least deserved that much. And that is exactly why, with some monetary help from Celestia, she set off with just one mission in mind. To buy a gift for Midnight!   A upbeat tune started to play as she bobbed along, looking left and right.   And it was going to be the greatest gift ever!   So she strolled down the streets of Canterlot, looking from shop to shop in search for the ultimate gift.   “🎝What to give… what to give… for the mare that is made for me. Maybe candy, letters, mangoes or a little toy is the gift to be…♪”   “🎝So many choices, I don’t know what to pick. Oh, maybe a cake shaped like a di—♪”   A shopkeep piped up to her song with his own voice. “Hey there Miss, I have one for you. A bouquet of flowers will steer you true.” A beautiful bouquet of roses in his magical aura   “🎝No thanks Mister, I think that’s a little boring don’t you?♪”   “🎝I need a gift that’s special, something to show I care. What oh what do I get, for that sexy, batty mare?♪”   A fancy unicorn mare stepped out from her store. “I think this makeup kit, so chic!”   An older stallion holding out his wares. “Perhaps a necklace? A lovely antique?”   “🎝All these things, they just aren’t her. I need something that’ll make her purr.♪”   “🎝Maybe a picnic in the park? Under the stars and moon in the dark. I could take her on a fancy date. I need something that she won’t hate.♪”   A prench pony held out a gift-wrapped bottle “Maybe a fancy bottle of wine?   A jeweller smiled at her. “A lovely ring to say you’re mine?”   “🎝I don’t want to look desperate, something… ♪” Pockets stooped in front of a quaint little store. Something in the window ceasing her Heart Song as the other went back about their business. She stepped closer, peering through the glass at the object of her fascination.   A small smile crossed her muzzle.   “It’s perfect~”   Pockets giggled like a child as she walked up to the throne room. She knew Midnight was bound to return sooner or later and in case she was early, she’d surprise her with the gift, otherwise she would just break in and give Midnight a good ol’ hug and then the gift!   Hopefully she was on a better mood by then…   So she climbed up the stairs and didn’t even care about how many there were. She reached the door and pressed her ear against it. She heard voices, wait… Midnight was already there? Awesome! She hummed in thought and decided to make the surprise even more surprising! So she carefully opened the door, just a tiny lil’ bit, and then teleported inside behind a pillar. It was time for a sneak.   “I… couldn’t do a thing,” she heard Midnight say. She sounded… hurt? “They took the amulets… the Breezie… everything! I’m a failure as a guard, as-as a pony!”   Pockets held back her need to just go out there and hug Midnight. She needed to hear the whole story first.   “You’re not a failure, you did your best, we all did. But… we weren’t expecting anyone else to be there. It was a distraction, one so good that not even Aroma knew about it.” Quick said coldly, just as hurt as Midnight, “And I know enough about those amulets to know that… not even you could have dealt with Aka Manah back there. None of us could have.”   “I could have dealt with him though—”   “NO!” Celestia’s shout echoed throughout the room. “Midnight Song. Let me make myself perfectly clear. You are to never use that! Do you understand?”   “But I—”   “Do. You. Understand!” Celestia said again, each word packing the force of a thunderclap.   Midnight lowered her head. “Yes… your High...ness…” And with a loud clang of torn and dented armour against marble, she collapsed. She was so utterly spent right now…   The faint sound of hooves walking towards her caught a bit of her attention, yet not enough to make her look at the source. What did, was the soft thump that was made when a rather odd looking box fell to the floor inches away from her. The chocolate brown envelope and the vibrant green ribbon didn’t match that well, and it was obvious it could have been made with a little more care. If she had to be honest it looked like if a filly had been in charge of wrapping the box up. Then, a familiar navy blue muzzle pushed the box closer, not saying a word, before laying down and looking at her with cute, expecting eyes.   When she saw that Midnight didn’t react at first, the unicorn just pushed the box a little closer with her muzzle, and went back into her curious position.   “Aww, m’lil filly brought me a present,” Midnight said softly as she tried reaching out. “I wish I didn’t hurt so much…”   “Being that cute should be illegal,” Celestia chuckled as she started casting healing magicks on Midnight and Quick Step. Lancer and Archer were already in the medical wing, so it was just these two. “Pockets dear? Why don’t you open it for her.”   Pockets moved closer and gently bit the ribbon, pulling it back until the envelop itself also fell down, and it was just the cardboard box. The unicorn’s horn glowed, and the box was opened, and a small, black little bat plushie came out of  it and was gently placed in front of Midnight’s face. And then, she returned to her previous position, her expectant patient eyes locked on Midnight’s face.   Midnight looked at the toy, and despite her weariness, the absolute agony that wracked her form…   She pulled the toy close and hugged it, nuzzling it and smiling.   “I love it,” she said quietly. Pockets let out a cute squeak and then nuzzled the thestral in the most loving, caring way possible.   “Don’t ever say that you’ve failed. Because as a guard, you caught one of the most sneaky thieves in Tall Tale. And as a pony, you caught her heart. And I know that I may be a tad crazy, and that I’m way too emotional for her own good, and that I just bring trouble wherever I go… but I like to believe I’m at least worth it.” She smiled playfully and gave her cheek a kiss, “You failed one task, so what? We just got to fix it, together. Whether it be me on the play field, or in the back cheering you up, I will never, ever leave your side, and for as long as I’m alive, I will never let you feel like you’re worth nothing. Because for me, you’re worth the world, and even more.”   “Sappy,” Midnight murmured. “M’sorry for bein’a  Dumbat.”   “Hey, I’m a Dumbpone from time to time as well.” She giggled softly, “It’s part of the whole ‘marefriend’ deal, we got to deal with each other’s dumbness.”   “Yaaay,’ Midnight sighed and tried hugging her. “Oooowwww… Dark magic sucks. Imma kick that bat’s ass…”   “You found another bat?” Pockets chuckled, hugging Midnight with the utmost care to make sure it didn’t hurt much, “A bat pony that can use dark magic, well ain’t that edgy.”   “Mhm… he got edgy alright,” Midnight sighed as she finally removed her armour, showing the countless cuts all over her body… and the blood that had been pooling inside. “Aww… I’m bleeding all over the floor. Sorry Princess.”   “Medic!” Celestia shouted. “To me! Now!”   “Wait!” Pockets called out and got closer to Midnight, “I… I wanna try something out! If Midnight lets me that is.”   “Dying… dun care…” Midnight said woozily. “Ooohh, I see pretty Angels. Come here… I don’t bite… unless ya want me too~” she made grabby motions with her hooves. “Soooo soft~”   “Yeahp, no time for doctors!” Pockets said and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, “Okay Pockets… just like Tall Tale taught you. You managed to revive a freaking flower, healing some cuts ain’t crap. Come on… focus, focus on your love for her.” A faint pink glow began surrounding Pockets’ body as she tried to focus. Yet Midnight kept on bleeding. The unicorn knew what she had to do, think back to all the good memories, to all the little things, all the moments she spent with Midnight. When they laughed, when they cried, when they had fun and when they just relaxed. When they kicked Grumble’s butt, when they went shopping and met her parents. When they did… that, multiple times.   Celestia could not believe her eyes. With every new memory that flashed past Pockets’ mind, one new cut began to glow as well, and soon, Midnight’s entire body was enveloped in a powerful pink aura. A scent of flowers filled the room, and every single one of Midnight’s wounds began to slowly close, not even leaving a scar behind. Soon, the thestral’s very own bones which had suffered a lot during the battle, felt brand new, her tense muscles relaxes like if she was receiving the best of massages anyone could ever give her. And it sure felt like it… soothing, calming, as if everything was alright, and it was going to remain like that forever.   Pockets gasped for air and Midnight fell to the floor with a thud, she hadn’t even noticed Pockets’ magic had caused her to levitate. “Okay… not doing that for a looong while… my head hurts.”   “Incredible…” Celestia gasped as she scanned Midnight. “Not a single injury remains. Now or otherwise.” She lifted her mare’s wing and even the scar that Dead Drop gave her years ago was gone. “And she’s not suffering from magical poisoning either.”   “She could have done me too,” Quick Step pouted, feeling just as crap as the thestral.   “I’ll do you later…” Midnight muttered.   Pockets walked up to Quick and closed her eyes, focusing on the mare… And then single strand of magic shoot out of her horn and fell on Quick’s face, vanishing into the air.   “Well that’s just straight up insulting.” Quick muttered and rolled over. Luckily she was used to being stabbed, and the fact that she wasn’t bleeding may or may not have something to do with the demon living inside her.   “Sorry, I guess I can only do it with Midnight for now.” Pockets shrugged with an awkward grin, “I have to work on it.”   “You can work her, I’ll watch,” Midnight said, already feeling miles better as she pounced on the unicorn, nibbling her ear.   The unicorn giggled and turned to peck Midnight’s lips, her smile the cutest thing ever, “Now let’s go back to our room for a good, long, blissful session of sss-sleeping!”   “Only sleeping?” Midnight cooed and looked at Celestia and Quick. “Any takers for ‘just sleeping’?”   Celestia just sighed and shook her head.   “And see, that is why I cannot die,” Midnight said to Pockets. “I haven’t banged a Princess yet.”   “I thought I was your Princess!” Pockets pouted.   “You are,” Midnight rolled her eyes and kissed her forehead. “But seriously. Imagine Cadance? I bet she’s real flexible~”   “Ohh, and she probably has a crap ton of kinky spells!” Pockets nodded, “Hmm, do you think she’d know a spell that could get me a dー”   “And that is quite enough of that,’ Celestia said, muzzling Pockets with a spell. “Midnight, be a dear and take your perverted little marefriend away.”   “As you command,” Midnight saluted and slung Pockets over her back, trotting off with her. Once they left, Celestia let out a long sigh.   “I swear,” she said to Quick. “I don’t know how well that would have turned out if Cadance overheard that.”   “Something tells me a spell like that exists somewhere.” Quick chuckled softly, resting her head against a pillow. Her pain, it meant nothing considering the storm of emotions that invaded her head at that moment. What she heard back there… could it really be true?   “Is something wrong dear?” Celestia said. “Seeing as how you haven’t noticed you’re on my throne.”   Quick’s eyes widened, and she slowly backed up in an extremely awkward fashion, “Oh, sorry about that. It’s… nothing really, just a bad thought, a few unpleasant memories. Not much besides that. Nothing you should worry about.”   “Come here,” Celestia said, taking a seat and unfurling one of her wings. “Come on now.”   Quick begrudgingly did so, she didn’t want to bother Celestia with her problems. But who was she to say no to the Princess? She walked up to her and sat down next to the alicorn, just standing there, silent. Then a golden glow surrounded her as she was pulled up against the alicorn’s side, a wing wrapped around her like a protective blanket.   The sensation was amazing. She felt invincible inside here, like even her own retched memories couldn’t hurt her.   “You’ve had to deal with a lot in such a short time, haven’t you?” she said softly.   “At this point, I’m used to it.” Quick mumbled, letting herself melt on Celestia’s embrace, “Shouldn’t even affect me really, but it does…”   “Nopony is perfect,” Celestia said, stroking her back with magic. “Even myself… especially myself. I’m more surprised you’ve kept your sanity after everything's said and done. You’re a far better mare than I, Quick Step.”   Quick couldn’t help but chuckle at this, now she was speaking nonsense, “Believe me your majesty, I would have lost my sanity a long time ago if it wasn’t for Cereza. She saved me, you know? Both physically and mentally. Seeing her fight for her country, for what she thought was right, being so bold and straightforward… it was refreshing seeing someone fighting for what’s right care about me, after all the things I’ve done. All… the things I abandoned.” Her words turned softer and far more pained when she said that last part, whatever was bothering her clearly had something to do with that.   “Your son?” Celestia asked bluntly. “And before you ask, Midnight told me.”   Quick’s eyes widened, before closing down with a pained sob. The calm and collected mare, the professional assassin, she broke into tears, sobbing loudly and losing all control of herself. Celestia just remained there, rubbing her back as she held her close.   “Believe me,” she said quietly. “I know a thing or two about losing family.”   “He… he was just so young, so innocent.” Quick whispered between sobs, “I didn’t even care that he was different, I… I loved him nonetheless, we both did.”   “Who was the father?” Celestia asked. “Is he… still with us?”   Quick nodded slowly, her eyes watering even more, “He never knew… I kept it away from him.” She muttered, “The father… is Chitin.”   Celestia blinked slowly. She looked down at the mare. “Midnight said… your son was a thestral. But if Chitin is… does that mean?”   “It’s just a disguise…” She nodded, “He’s a changeling, a special kind. A hybrid... “   “I am thousands of years old, you’d have thought I’d have heard it all by now,” Celestia chuckled. “And yet, my little ponies keep surprising me.” She leaned down and nuzzled her. “Circumstances outside your control made you do what you did. And those amulets. Nothing good comes from the demon inside. He prays on the weak-willed. The anger, regret, sadness and hatred inside the heart and soul. There is a chance… a slim chance, that your son is not the one at fault here.”   Quick pressed herself closer to Celestia and nodded, “I know… and I really hope the one at fault isn’t me or Chitin. I… hope there’s a reason behind all of this.”   “I hope so as well,” Celestia nodded and hugged her closer. “I’m not optimistic enough to believe it’s all going to be okay. The future will not be easy, and he has a lot to answer for.”   “Still, having a glimpse of hope is enough for me.” Quick said softly, “Thanks, your highness. And I assure you that I’ll bring my son back even if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do. He deserves as much.”   “Do not make it your last,” Celestia said. “He’ll need his mother once this is all said and done. Now… get some rest. Tomorrow, something very rare will occur and you will want to see it.”   Quick quirked a brow at her, “I am both excited and terrified now.” Yet she shook her head and decided not to dwell on it. Instead, she stood up and ruffled her feathers, her injuries no longer hurting, “Again, thank you your Highness. I…. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, even if I haven’t been the best of subjects.”   “Perhaps, but everypony deserves a second chance,” Celestia nodded and released her from her hug. “Now be careful, Midnight’s in a mood. Try not to get caught by her~”   “Like I would mind, did you forget who you’re speaking with? Thanks to you, I got a certain lusty demon inside me.” She smirked, hopping down and walking away with a little sway of her hips, and… that booty though.   Then she felt something pinch that flank, Celestia whistling innocently as her horn glow faded.     Midnight strode down the halls of the castle, heading for the throne room. “Okay Pockets,’ she said softly. “Now, you have to promise me, don’t spaz out alright. At least try and remain calm and collected?”   “Aye aye captain!” She gave a super forced salute, “But question, captain!”   “Yes Cadet?” Midnight said. “And if it’s a silly question. I’m tossing your behind in a room of thestral males, covered in mango juice.”   “I’m not against it captain, but still I have a question, an actually important one!” She said with that same tone, before grinning awkwardly, “What exactly are we doing again?”   “We’re meeting with the princess and some important guests,” Midnight smiled and pet her on the head. “You ready to meet the biggest collection of awesome in all of Equestria?”   “We’re meeting the Giggles?” Pockets quirked a brow. What? They were her heroes when she was little, “The Power Colts? The Powerpuff Mares?”   “How old are you again?” Midnight deadpanned.   “Uhm… this many!” Pockets said jokingly with a dumb grin as she raised her hooves. Then again she was twenty, so it was half right.   “I have no words…” Midnight sighed and grabbed Pocket’s tail, dragging her along. “Just… ah forget it, you’re gonna act like a dork regardless.”   “Wooo, silliness wins again!” Pockets waved her hooves in the air, “Go Pockets!”   Midnight just rolled her eyes and once they reached the throne room, she spit out her tail and put a hoof on the door. Might as well make the most of this.   “Are you ready for this?” Midnight said with a smirk. “Do you think you can handle the awesome contained in the room?”   “Please, I can deal with all the awesome of the world! Show me whatcha got!” She said confidently and nodded.   “Are you sure?” Midnight said. “This much awesome hasn’t gathered in years! They say if you aren’t awesome enough yourself, your eyes will melt. Your brain would explode! All to try and perceive the sheer amount of awesome in one space!”   “I’m really starting to believe you got the Power Colts in there…” Pockets mused before nodding in slight annoyance, “Yes! Show me, come on! I am ready for the awesomeness!”   “I dunno… you don’t sound very convincing,” Midnight hummed, taking her hoof away from the door.   “No!” Pockets stopped her, “I am super duper ready, I swear! Look…” She took a piece of cloth from who knew where, and somehow managed to put it on as if it was a pair of jeans, “I got my awesome pants on! I can do this.”   “Hmm, I dunno,” Midnight said and tapped her chin. She wisely decided not to question that cloth. “Let me hear it. Let me hear that you’re ready!”   “I am ready!” She exclaimed, “I am ready!” Her tone became louder, and she stomped on the ground, “I… AM… READY!”   “Louder!” Midnight yelled.   “I AM READY!!!” Pockets shouted and stormed inside, “BRING IT ON AWESOMENESS, POCKETS IS HEー”   “—Eeerrree…” in a totally empty room as Midnight leaned against the doorframe, cackling to herself.   Pockets deapdanned, “I hate you.” Was the only thing she said.   “You love me,” Midnight smiled and walked past her, kissing her cheek.   “I do and I hate it.” Pockets mumbled and walked behind the thestral, “So what’s the plan? Why’d you bring me here?”   “That would be because I summoned you,” Celestia said as she walked up behind Pockets, ruffling her mane with magic. “How are you dear Pickett? Feeling better?”   “Not anymore.” Pockets mumbled and shot Midnight a death stare, “I was expecting the Power Colts or something like that! Now I’m sad...” She pouted, crossing her forelegs.   “Um… Power Colts?” Celestia blinked. “What’s that?”   Pockets’ eyes shined in excitement. She stood up and did a super ridiculous pose, a confident, shameless grin now on her muzzle, “Only the most amazing group of heroes of Future City! Six powerful ponies with super awesome different-coloured tech suits, fighting against monsters with their giant animal robots! Which, hear me out, turn into an even BIGGER robot! The fights are top notch, super realistic explosions, and they even do karate and everything!”   “I see, that sounds very interesting,” Celestia smiled and rubbed her head again. “We should see it sometime once this is all done.”   Yep, that happened. Princess Celestia. Princess FREAKING Celestia. Wants to go and see Power Colts with her.   Pockets took every bit of self control to not freak out.   She failed. And thus, the unicorn giggled like a filly and bounced happily, most definitely looking forward to this.   “Princess?” Midnight said in a worried tone. “Can we find a birth certificate for her? I’m starting to get worried I actually seduced a foal.”   “Fun fact, my certificate has my birthdate wrong by two days! May have to do with the fact that I’m an orphan.” She chuckled and finally calmed down, bumping Midnight’s flank with her own, “I’m an adult, don’t worry. Just that I don’t like acting mature all the time, plus you know I’m adorable when I do that.”   “Yes, yes you are,” Midnight rolled her eyes. “So, are they here Celestia?”   “Hmm, they are,” the mare smiled. “It's not every day we get a new one after all. This is breaking hundreds of years of tradition.”   “A new what?” Pockets tilted her head curiously, “What’s going on?”   The throneroom door opened again. And a familiar Minotaur walked in, followed by Archer and Lancer. The spear-wielding pegasus wasted no time in moving up next to Pockets.   “Well hello there~” he hummed. “Fancy seeing you here pet.”   Pockets smirked and looked at him with devilish little eyes, checking him out and oh yes, that’ll do~ “Why hello yourself handsome. What brings such a cutie around these parts of the castle? Don’t tell me you came here just to meet lil ol’ me.”   “Not my first reason, but it is now,” Lancer hummed, wait, why was he looking at the ceiling? Oh… Midnight had flipped him.   “Not now Lancer,” Midnight growled.   “Heh, moron,” Archer scoffed.   “Team killer!” Lancer shouted back.   “Philanderer!”   “Lonely virgin!”   “Toothpick using winged rat!”   “Boys~” Midnight said and Pockets shivered, did it suddenly get colder in here? “Are you going to keep fighting? Or do I have to punish you~?”   “NO MA’AM!” They saluted. Punishment Time meant going a round with Aerial Ace. Only Berserker liked Punishment Time. The otherwise silent Minotaur grinned widely.   Another mare walked up next to Pockets. She was a pale tan coat and a stunning blonde mane and tail. She almost mistook her for Moon Song for a moment, save for the fact she was clad in silver armour, a blue dress worked around it, seemingly part of the armour itself.   “Why hello there~” Pockets purred and eyed the mare, “I’m liking this little event already and we haven’t even started yet.”   “If thou wishes to keep thy tongue…” the mare started to draw a long golden sword with her magic, a cold look in her green eyes. “Then thou will’st keep in in thy mouth.”   Pockets gulped and stepped back. She didn’t understand half of that, but she understood that this mare meant business. So… yeah, silence, sounded like a good idea.   “Well, it seems almost all of us are here then?” Another mare asked as she stepped out of literal thin air. The space around her rippled as she appeared. Her coat was a light lavender and her mane a stunning metallic silver. She wore a long, layered cloak as a large ebony staff tipped with a pulsing red ruby floated in the crescent-shaped notch at the top. She looked at Celestia and frowned.   “Alright you sun-addled idiot! What did you do this time!?”   “Woah, feisty!” Pockets whistled, yet judging from her experience with Sabre, she just said that to herself.   “I heard that you little whelp!” Surrounded in a dark purple aura, Pockets was dragged over to the unicorn mare. “So, who’s this? She’s not a unicorn, I can tell that much.”   “Uhm…” Okay now Pockets was completely and utterly terrified. She just pointed at her horn and smiled nervously, “Horn? Pony body? I… I think I’m a unicorn yeah.”   “Then why do you reek of Breezie magic?” the mare hummed and her horn shone. Then… everything around Pockets grew much larger.   Pockets began panicking and looked around nervously. Her body was shrinking! Oh my gosh her body was shrinking!  She felt a sharp pain running over her back and head, her legs shrinking just to then stretch out, and her mind became hazy. She tried to go upwards, she tried and kept on trying, but only remained in place.   And before she knew it, she was hovering above the ground, her squinting face trying to go higher and higher to no avail. Yup, she was screwed. She looked below, and eeped in shock and fear and surprise between several other things.   Her body was similar to Tall Tale and Aroma’s, yet at the same time quite different. Her colour scheme matched her pony form, each hoof was clad in a little metal shoe, and a tiny crown adorned her head. She bore a mane and tail similar to a pony instead of a breezie, flowing on a non-existent breeze. Then there was the fact of the giant fairy wings sprouting from her back.   She was the very definition of a fairy princess.   And she hated it. “Help! Help!” She squealed out in an extremely squeaky yet adorable voice, “Turn me back! It’s scary down here!”   Everypony stared wide-eyed, until Midnight gently picked her up with a wing. “She’s… she’s…” Midnight worked her jaw, trying to get the words right to describe her marefriend.   “She’s SO CUTE!” She squealed and nuzzled her.   “Midnight!”  Pockets called out, trying to squeeze her way out of the nuzzle that was currently suffocating her, “Stahp it, and tell your friend to fix this!”     “Caster, turn her back,” Celestia sighed. “I’ll explain the magic, but she’s not supposed to actually be a Breezie.”   “Aww, can we keep her like this for a while?” Midnight pouted. “She’s sooo cutesy-wootsy!”   “Call me that one more time and I’ll punch you…” Pockets looked at her dangly arms and waved them around, before sighing, “With my noodle arms I guess? I don’t give a buck just help me out! I was already pretty small before but this is ridiculous!”   Caster rolled her eyes and recast her polymorph spell, returning Pockets to her unicorn form and squishing Midnight under her.   “...ow,” the bat groaned. “Thanks Caster. Bucking bitch…”   “I second that…” Pockets groaned as everything, and she meant everything, hurt. Compared to a moment ago, she felt as big as Celestia now. The size difference was ridiculous.   “Lay off the ice-cream,” Midnight groaned as she stood up and set Pockets upright. “Now you’ve finished… oh hey, where’s Cereza?”   “Right above you.” Came the griffon’s sultry voice before all of Midnight’s senses were fired off, signalling danger.  Cereza fell down with a screech and a dagger in her claw, a cocky grin across her beak. And just in case there was plan B, which was falling back and diving back in. And plan C, throwing the dagger. Plan D, and Plan E were still a work in progress. But no matter what, this bat was going down!   Midnight moved. At least… she thought Midnight moved. She wasn’t sure because she didn’t bucking see it! All she knew was that her back was now pinned to the floor and Midnight smirked as she leaned down and stole her prize of a rather deep and sensual kiss.   “Mmmm, missed ya catbird,” the bat hummed and stepped back so Cereza could process what the buck just happened. Luckily, being the sharp griffon she was, she processed her defeat rather easily and shrugged it off. At least Midnight’s lips were as delightful as always~   “Morning everyone, hope I’m not too late.” She greeted the rest with a nod, getting her chained blades back in place and cleaning the dust off her feathers, “Had to deal with some family business.”   “Well now, so you filled Assassin’s position hmm?” Caster looked her over. “A little green, but I guess she’ll do. So, I take it she needs a Celestial Arte?”   “Yes, and out other new member,’ Celestia nodded. Now that got their attention and Pockets finally noticed something.   Archer. Lancer. Saber. Caster. Berserker. Assassin. Conductor…   They were ALL here. The entire roster of Specialists in a single room.   “Wait… new member? What are you talking about?” Pockets quirked an eyebrow. And then she panicked, “Wait, waitwaitwait you aren’t thinking about firing Midnight right!? I mean come on! It was just one failed task and she didn’t even have a chance to fight!”   Everyone’s gaze drifted to her and Pockets realised that she’d just yelled at the most powerful ponies in Equestria…   “I’ll shut up.” Pockets sat down and looked down, biting her lower lip to avoid splurting out more nonsense.   “It’s alright,” Celestia giggled. “But yes, it's been a long time since all the Specialists have been summoned together in one place. All to welcome our new Assassin, as well as a new Class.”   “A new Class?” Caster said, even she was surprised by this news. “Can… can you even do that?”   “Why not?” Celestia shrugged. “Our opponents aren’t playing fair. And neither shall I.”   Pockets opened her muzzle, and immediately closed it. Nope, she was not going to say anything else in front of anyone. All those ponies could slash/blast/stab/curse the hell out of her, and she wasn’t risking it.   She was going to remain shut…. Yup, not a single word… nothing… zero… zilch… nada… “Wait! But wouldn’t that mean getting a new specialist?” Stars dammit Pockets’ brain…   “I believe that’s the idea,’ Celestia smiled and turned to the others. “Everypony. I would like to introduce our newest Specialist. Pickett Midnight Penumbra. The Rouge.”   And again, everypony turned to stare at Pockets.   And the pressure of all their eyes on her made Pockets entire world collapse and her stomach tremble. Oh wait no… that’s the ice cream she ate earlier. She wanted to puke…   Well crap.   The former thief just stood there speechless, having no idea of what to say or do. This was just… it was… it was just too much! She didn’t have nearly half the abilities any of the other Specialists had!   “Tch, this brat?” Caster said. “What the hell Celestia? Have you been hitting the cider? What can she possibly do.”   “Pockets?” Midnight whispered to her and motioned at Caster. “Steal.”   The unicorn gulped and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. No time to panic, nope, if she wanted to do this she had to prove herself.   Goodbye nervous Pockets, hellooo Rogue~   A flash of her horn, and she was gone. Another flash, and she was back. And hey, what a nice little wizard staff she had on her hooves, and ooh, was that a spellbook?   “Oh wow, heavy.” Pockets chuckled and balanced the staff on her muzzle, “How do you go around with this all day and not break your spine?”   “G-Give that back!” Caster roared and went to step forward, but somepony had also tied the laces of her boots together… Caster let out a high-pitched yelp and fell flat on her face.   “Ahh, Classic Pockets,” Midnight smiled.   Pockets was looking through the book. Hmm… Polymorph spell. Genderswap? Time Travel?!   “Ooh, I’m keeping this.” Pockets giggled and went through the pages. And… she found something quite peculiar. Time for sweet, sweet revenge. She took hold of the staff and grinned, before chanting something none but Caster managed to understand. Something that ended with an accented, smirked “Reducto!”   Caster’s horn flashed and there was a bright light…   Then came a high-pitched voice.   A Midnight-sounding high-pitched voice.   “Are. You. Fucking. Kidding!?!?” the mini-bat roared, Caster’s Mirror Force spell reflecting the blast.   “Well I seem to have activated her trap card.” Pockets mused and just tossed the book and staff away, just in time for Caster to grab them. She leaned down and smirked, “Oh gosh you’re just adorable! Now I see what all the fuzz was about before.” She pressed her hoof on the miniature thestral and giggled, trying to tickle the little bat.   “Don’t you dare touch meeee,” Midnight roared in her squeaky voice. “I AM THE NIGHT”   *Chomp!*   “Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouchouchouch OUCH!” Pockets shook Midnight off and then grabbed her by her hooves, blowing her a raspberry onto her tiny tummy. Midnight squealed with laughter as the Specialists saw their mighty leader reduced to a foal’s plaything.   Celestia cleared her throat and sighed. “Miss Pickett, we are in the middle of something quite serious you realise.”   “Oh right, right. Silly me.” Pockets cleared her throat and nodded, “I accept this assignment your highness. I'm ready!”   “Like hell you are.” The doors broke open and in walked Front Lines with no regard for formalities or manners, “You are fragile, ungraceful, just a street thief who got this high by sheer luck.” And before anypony could say anything, he whistled.   “I'm coming, I'm coming! Geeze, you cranky old geezer.“ Secure Lines followed after her father, pulling a clothing cart that was covered by a large black piece of plastic.   “Yes you're but a puny, tiny, fragile thief. One blast and poof you're gone for. Heck, one blast from Aka Manah and you'll all be history!” He grabbed the piece of plastic and pulled it away, revealing eight sets of brand new armour of different kinds, “Time to change that.”   “Sweet Celestia you're such a drama queen.” Secure rolled her eyes. Celestia herself smiled.   “You think I’m sweet? Why, thank you Lieutenant Lines.” Celestia smiled at her, making Secure blush and look away.   Tiny Midnight looked at the new armour. No, she wasn’t drooling a large puddle onto the floor. It was… uh, raining inside.   Yeah Pockets wasn't even going to hide it, she was most definitely drooling, “That is…”   “The brand new Lines Co. Zero Armour Suits. Equipped with the latest of offensive and defensive magitek devices. Each was tailored to fit each one of you perfectly and holds functions that your specific abilities will be augmented.”   As he spoke, Caster returned Midnight to her proper size and took back her book and staff while Pockets was distracted by shiny things.   “Alright,” Front hummed. “Take Caster here for instance. Not only is her armour lightweight, it’s lined with Etherite stones. You can charge them with magic and use them for quick recharges when your own gets low in the middle of battle. It’s also rather resistant to crossbow bolts so a sniper doesn’t pick off the White Mage first.”   “Interesting,” Caster mused. She have to make her own enchantments to it. But she liked what she saw so far.   “And Saber?” Front presented her new armour. It was similar in design to her current set, only instead of silver and blue, this one was a striking mix of crimson red and gold. “This one is from the same material. Lightweight and durable. It also has an antihex inlay so that little fairy problem of yours can’t control anypony anymore. Ah, and as well as Caster, yours had an Overcharge Mode. You’ll feel like crud afterwards, but you can boost your magic to what I think should be near alicorn levels for a brief moment.”   “Curious,” the sword-wielding mare mused.   “Oh, oh, what about mine?” Pockets hopped up and down excitedly.   And then Front threw her a simple chainmail armor used for training.   Pockets deadpanned, raising a brow, “Really?”   “Dad, stop being a dick.” Quick hit her snickering father’s shoulder, grabbing a pitch black and midnight blue set of armour unlike any they had ever seen before. It looked more like a metallic robe than anything, “Here you go.” She threw the armoured clothing to Pockets, whose eyes shone in awe.   “What does it do?” She asked, approaching it slowly.   “Basically? It turns you into the ultimate thief.” He said, motioning to the set, “Draconic fortified scales that change colours to blend with its environment. Four different pouches containing a charge of smoke pellets each, and don't worry, the mouthpiece will filter the air. Chainmesh base to avoid hindering your mobility. And a pretty nifty utility belt.” He explained, “I'll explain the other sets later but for now, I want to direct your attention to my Magnum Opus, my greatest work of art yet. Miss Midnight Song, do you want to meet your brand new best friend in the battlefield?”   The thestral raised an eyebrow and stepped forward. “Oh? For me? You shouldn’t have darling.”   “Just the best for one of the most gorgeously deadly mares around.” He winked at her, causing Quick to groan again. She could barely believe that they were family.   Midnight smiled back and licked her lips. “Oh, you know just what to say you rouge. So… what new toys do I have cause…” her mind wandered to her battered and beaten armour in her room. “Yeeaahhh…. Kinda trashed the last set. Oops?”   He chuckled and shook his head and hoof, “I made that for you three years ago, it's outdated and rusty! The one apologising should be me. So why don't I show you my… apology~”   “Mmm, I like the sound of that,” Midnight hummed, tracing a hoof over his chest. “You know me, I’m a little rough with my toys~”   “Well good thing I'm an expert in making sturdier, stronger, powerful toys.” He whispered into her ear. Midnight cooed and smiled back.   “Wanna play with me then~?”   “Oh I'll show you—”   And then he got bonked on the head by Secure who dragged him away, “Armour!”   “Right, right. First work, then pleasure~” He eyed the thestral, practically devouring her with his gaze.   “Aww,” Midnight sauntered over to Secure and gazed into her eyes, those hypnotic, emerald orbs looking onto hers. “No need to be jealous Cure~” She leaned in close and whispered huskily into her ear. “If you want a spanking, just ask~”   Secure’s angry blush and very cute nervou-excited eyes were just the most adorable of things~   And then Midnight was bonked in the head by the blushing mare’s spear. She stormed out of the room, mumbling under her breath, something along the lines of “B-Baka…”   “Well there goes my assistant.” Front Lines chucked. He took Midnight's suit, and if just screamed badassery.   It was a suit of deep ebony platemail, etched with decorative gold trim. The suit covered most of the body, from the neck all the way down to her hindquarters. A red crimson skirt flowed down the left side of the hindlegs, and had the same woven gold decorative etching. The forehooves were spiked from the knee joint down, and when Midnight inspected the hoof, she saw it had retractable golden claws. These could be manipulated using a pony’s own internal magic, thus allowing her to flex and even grips things with them, much like a Griffon’s talons. There was a space to slot her wings through, nicely padded so the mail wouldn’t pinch when she flew. Attached to the sides and running down past the flank was a pair of scabbards, two brand new swords could be placed in those.   “Conductor Midnight, I present to you, the Blood Moon Armour.” He knelt down and presented it to Midnight with a smirk, “Don't get too much blood on it, will you?”   Midnight just stared at this vision of loveliness. This divine being of carnage and chaos. “Oooh~ I think I just…” She shuddered and smiled blissfully. “I loveit!”   “Good because I used a good tenth of the crown’s resources just on this one.” He grinned and threw Celestia the key she had given him, “Love you Tia!”   Celestia’s eyes widened. That… A tenth!? “That… that…” Celestia stammered. “That is a twenty five MILLION bit suit!?”   “Did I say that I love you already?” Front blew her a kiss, which made Pockets chuckle in amusement, “Just look at Midnight, look how happy she is! Can you say that she's not worth it?”   Celestia sighed, she knew it was a mistake to give him that key. But, she had to admit it was a very nice suit. “You’re unbelievable.”   “I try.” He said before turning to Lancer and narrowing his eyes. He said nothing, he just looked at the pegasus with a very, very judgemental stare…   Before bonking him on the head with a helmet, “That’s for letting yourself get hypnotised.” And then another bonk, “And that’s because you aren’t married yet.” And then another bonk, “And that’s just because this is fun.”   “Dad… please,” Lancer sighed, long since used to this. “Not in front of my friends.”   “Idiots…” Caster groaned. “They’re all idiots. Every. Single. One of them…”   Front Lines grinned as he turned to the unicorn mare. “Oh come now Ultima. I remember you calling me something completely different while I lic—”   With a pop of light, he vanished.   “Oops, guess I need to work out the kink in that teleportation spell,” Caster whistled innocently. “Now the idiocy in the room has been halved. Shall I start the ritual?”   “Please do,” Celestia nodded. Oh, she’d teleported him into the center of the hedgemaze. Good aim…   “So, if I may ask.” Pockets walked up to Celestia, keeping her tone low just so she didn’t look like a fool in front of her now co-workers, “What exactly is the ritual for?”   Celestia cleared her throat. “Each of my Specialists is given an ability. One only to be used under dire circumstances. A circumstance like we find ourselves in now. The spell varies, depending on whom it is cast upon. In a way—”   “Allow me before you butcher that explanation any further,” Caster sighed. “Now, to explain in a way your limited intellect can comprehend, it’s like giving a physical manifestation to your Cutie Mark, as that is the base for this spell. For you? Who knows? Perhaps invisibility? Duplication? I guess we’ll see.’   “I feel like I should be insulted by that previous statement, but at the same time, YES! ALL MY YES!” Pockets grinned excitedly and nodded, ready to do this, “So what do I gotta do?”   “Stand still, provided that is physically possible you foal,” Caster said. “And not to worry… this won’t hurt. At first~”   And before Pockets could argue that point. A magic glyph appeared under her, tendrils of magic reaching up and touching her Cutie Mark. She just stared with wide eyes and the need to pee her non-existent pants. A strange tingling sensation began running from her flank throughout her entire body, and it would have been kinda pleasant if it wasn’t for the fact that it grew and grew in intensity. Oh gods, this was not going to be pretty was it?   No, no it was not. It stung quite a bit actually… and then started to feel really good. Kinda like that one time Middy…   OH! Oh that hurt a little! Ok yeah it calmed down… eh it wasn’t that ba一 OH CRAP! Ok, ok that really hurt. But it was over… right?   Yeah it was all right now.   And now there was an incredible, unbearable, body-twisting pain that took control of her body. It was like her Cutie Marks were torn off while the rest of her was turned around and inside out. She wondered if this was what a pretzel felt like. She happened a glance back.   Okayohmycelestia! WHY were her Cutie Marks floating in the air… NOT attached to her flanks!?!?   Then with a bright flash, all that was gone. Pockets was standing there, looking like she hadn’t just gone through all that. Her horn was itchy, her butt was itchy, her everything was itchy. And she felt like hugging a pillow forever and never going back outside, with only a penny, a used napkin, and a potato chip as friends.   “It is done,” Caster sighed, looking rather haggard after that. “Would have been a lot easier if your own magic wasn’t fighting me the whole way.”   “I… feel dizzy.” Pockets mumbled, looking around and narrowing her eyes, “Middy… I need a hug..” She threw herself into the mare’s arms, and hugged her tight, giving her cheek a kiss.   Except for the fact that this wasn’t Midnight, but Caster herself.   The unicorn snorted and stepped to one side, letting Pockets fall to the floor with a loud thump. “Idiot.”   “Did it work?” Celestia asked. “That look rather rough, moreso than usual.”   “Yes, I had to brute force the enchantment in, so she’ll be a little dizzy and more than a little sore for a while,” Caster said then turned her gaze to Cereza. “Now… your turn~”   Cereza hummed and walked up to the middle of the room, “Now I do have one question before we commence. How is this supposed to work for me if I lack a Cutie Mark, or pony magic in general?”   “Like Titan there, your magic is different. And before you even ask, every creature on this planet has magic of some kind. You’re a Pure Blood griffon, so this ought to be an interesting experiment indeed. You lack a Mark, yes. But do you know what a Cutie Mark is?”   Cereza quirked a brow, “I was not born yesterday dear. A physical manifestation of one’s being, everything from their special talent to personality and even their life force. All concentrated in one nice artistic picture.”   “Hmm, close. You might actually be a decent being to converse with,” Ultima hummed, clearly impressed. “However, that’s not entirely accurate. Yes, they show our talent. Our… destiny for lack of a better word that the rest of them will understand. But ask yourself this. How does it know? How does a Mark appear, and know what we’re good at?”   “Well…” She hummed in thought, now this was quite the difficult question, “I must be honest with you, I have no idea. Being a griffon, I never quite dwelled much in those topics.”   “The answer is simple dear.” Caster said with a wry smile as the magic circle appeared under the griffon. “It’s the soul. Our very soul gives our Marks power. And that’s where I place this little gift of mine~”   Cereza’s eyes widened in surprise, why she wasn’t quite expecting that, “But that would mean… oh… You are no regular sage now are you?” Her town deepened, of all the different kinds of magic in this world, there was one she trusted the least…   “A little necromancy never hurt anypony… except for when it does,” Ultima hummed. Ahh, this one was much more smooth. The griffon should barely feel a thing. “You see dear, there are two types of necromancy. First there’s the sort that talks to spirits, mends flesh, researches the frailty of life and the mysteries of death…”   “I’ve had my fair share with those.” Cereza muttered under her breath, her eyes not leaving the unicorn. Flashbacks of the civil war came back to her, of seeing her fallen comrades rise from below, look at her with soulless eyes… it was horrid, disgusting, and infuriating.   “And then there's the sort that just goes batshit insane and attacks mortals to make an undead army,” Ultima continued. “I’m in the former. While I can summon spirits and dabble in Soul Magic, I have not and never will revive the dead in physical form. That, my dear, is an aberration to Magic itself.”   “A part of me, the part that saw her friends and loved ones come back to life and be used as mere pawns… it wants to shred you to pieces. But a much larger part of me knows that Celestia wouldn’t be so foolish as to have somepony like the being I encountered working for her, so sure, I shall trust you Caster.” Cereza nodded somewhat reluctantly, relaxing her muscles and taking a deep breath, “Do it.”   Caster powered her magic down and smiled. “It’s already done. You were talking too much to notice~”   Cereza blinked, and looked at her body for a good while, before giggling and shaking her head, “And here I was doubting you. Apologies Caster, and thank you for this little gift. I am sure it will be quite useful~” She turned around in the blink of an eye and threw a knife at Midnight with a small confident smirk across her beak…   Midnight’s tail flicked, making a whip crack sound as she bat the knife aside.   “Really?” the thestral deadpanned. “Why exactly are you trying to kill me today? Is this because Quick got hurt?”   Cereza sighed and tapped her chin, “No, not precisely. I just believe that if I’m now part of this little team as the ‘Assassin’, the best way of honing my skills is by trying to assassinate the only mare I know I can never really hurt, even if I tried.” She winked and flapped her wings, moving away, “I take it I’m not needed anymore. I shall take my leave and continue with my very own little projects, I have a mate and a son who are waiting for me for lunch. See you later dears,” She nodded at Midnight, Pockets, and Celestia, “And to the rest of you, I hope we get along well, Lancer dear stop looking at my flank if you will.” She glanced at the pegasus with an amused smirk.   “What? I’m not allowed to admire perfection?” he replied with absolutely no shame.   Cereza giggled softly and took off, slamming the door open as she did.   “At least it wasn’t the window this time," Celestia sighed. “Well, I suppose this meeting is adjourned for now. Take a little time to decompress and test your new equipment. We’ll have a strategy meeting tonight okay?”   “Aye aye captain!” Pockets saluted with the sweetest, most confident of smiles.   Celestia saluted back as each member took their suit of armour and new weapons if they were given one.   “Hey Pockets, think you can teleport us?” Midnight said.   “Sure!” Pockets nodded and hopped onto Midnight’s back, closing her eyes and picturing the nice little castle room where they were staying at… oh how she missed the bed, the little fireplace, the comfiness of snuggling Midnight…   The cold air and smell of dust and sulfur…   Wait what?   “Pockets…” Midnight said slowly, her brain feeling like it went a round with a cheese grater. “Where. Are. We?”   The thief just looked around with a seemingly eternal “Uuuuh….” Yeah she had no idea what was going on. And if it wasn’t for the angry shouts and the sounds of wings flapping, they would have never known. Where did the shouts come from? Why the angry griffons with pitchforks of course.   “We can afford dinner tonight boys, rob those ponies blind!” One of them cried, wearing nothing but a heavily damaged military vest and a plastic bag on his head.   Midnight’s eyes narrowed and she stepped forward.   A minute later, they’d all been hogtied by their own garments as Midnight dusted her hooves. She looked up, noting the position of the sun, then the lay of the land.   “Pockets,” she finally said. “This isn’t our room. This is Griffonstone.”   “Huh… WAIT WHAT!?” Okay now she was even more confused, “B-But… how did I teleport us so far away from home!?”   “Well I don’t know,” Midnight said calmly as she pet Pocket’s mane. “I’m not the one with a horn on my head. Now… care to try again? This place smells rank.”   “That’s griffon poop lassie.” The tied up griffon chuckled, “Good for yer health, just breath it in and let it work wonders!”   “Get. Us. Out of here!” Midnight almost yelled.   “Okay! Yes! We’re leaving!” Pockets hopped onto Midnight’s back again and closed her eyes.   First she was in Griffinstone…   Now she was thousands of hooves above Neighara Falls.   “POCKETS!!!” Midnight yelled, flapping hard to keep her grip on a unicorn and two suits of armour.   “I CAN FIX THIS!” Pockets yelped and hugged her tight, and then she was gone again. And now she was somewhere else entirely.   Huh, it smelled of lavender, and books. And there was a lavender alicorn reading a book right in front of them. And she was utterly confused by the fact that a thestral, a shortie unicorn, and two sets of heavy armour were now between her and Starswirl’s ‘Linimals: Magical Creatures and Where to Find Them.’   “Huh? Wha?” Twilight blinked as she looked at the odd sight. “Wait, Midnight Song?”   “Starbutt!” Midnight waved. “Sup?”   “Ohmigosh Princess Twilight!” Pockets’ jaw dropped to the floor. And then the two world-travelling mares the teleported heck out of there before she started fangirling and hugging the heck out of Twilight.   And now they were in Celestia’s office. Hey, at least they were back in Canterlot!   And Pockets’ butt was now soaked in hot steamy tea!   “AHHH!” She squeaked out and held onto her butt, rubbing it to try and cool it off.   “Ah, I finally found you,” Celestia said and tapped her horn’s against Pockets’ one. A gentle flow of magic streaming down and stabilised her wonky spells. “Honestly, you just can’t sit still, can you dear?”   “It’s my blessing and my curse.” Pockets sighed blissfully, Celestia’s magic always felt super nice, “It feels good to be home…”   “I imagine so,” the alicorn chuckled and pulled back. “There we go. Your magic should be calming down. But no teleporting until tomorrow alright?”   “Yeah I’ve had enough teleporting for an entire year!” She said with a half-hearted groan, frigging magical rituals messing her up, “So, what did you need us for?”   “Oh, I sensed you botched that first teleport and have trying to call you back since.” Celestia said. “Now, go and get some rest and I’ll—”   There was a small flash and a scroll appeared. Celestia lifted the scroll and opened it, her eyes flicking back and forth as she read the document. “Hmm… oh, you met Twilight?”   “U-Uhm… I may or may not have interrupted her studying session?” Pockets’ incredibly unconvincing innocent smile was utterly adorable, “She’s probably weirded out by me isn’t she?”   “She seems more surprised… and wants to study you,” Celestia giggled. “Well no matter, you’ll be meeting her and the rest of the Elements of Harmony tomorrow.”   “WHAT!?” And now Pockets was hyperventilating, “Th-The Elements of… the… the most famous heroes in Equestria… the super… awesome... “ And with a final gasp, she fainted. All that teleporting and the fangirling had drained her out.   “Fillies and Gentlecolts, my marefriend,” Midnight took a bow.