//------------------------------//
// Ch. 28 Here There Be Monsters 
// Story: Strange Yet Wonderful 
// by Bionic Slime 
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Chapter 28: Here There Be Monsters



The warring ponies clashed their mighty beams and horns of enchantment across the dwindling daylight. Flashes of scorching energy dazzled like supernovas; each one more destructive and wondrously colored than the last. Princess Celestia and Chimera Khan soared through the skies, tackling and blasting each other with unyielding convictions. The shockwaves brimming from their cataclysmic battle engulfed pillars of stone and rock into an ocean of eviscerating energy.

Celestia grunted as she fired a wave of golden energy beams; spreading out like bees and simultaneously descending towards their target. Khan extended his Phoenix wings over his head and blocked the aerial blasts while his armored plate absorbed the rest. He illuminated his armor with a bustling sea of colorful lights. Multiple beams and rays fired collectively from every jewel, gem and trinket decorating his armored form. Celestia quickly rushed a prism like shield that withstood the force of the blasts. The barrier dissipated almost instantly after weathering the bombardment. Khan lunged forward and slashed his horn towards Celestia; wielding it like a samurai sword. The mare gasped and ducked, narrowly dodging the black and purple slash beam that nearly cleaved her head off. Sliced chunks of her billowing mane sprinkled to the ground.

“And I thought killing you would be hard. What a pathetic joke! You’re not worthy to rule a garden, let alone a kingdom,” Khan seethed murderously. The armored tyrant reared back his spiked club tail. He whipped the club towards Celestia like a fishing reel.

WHAM!

Celestia cried out with a deafening shriek. The spiked tail struck her directly across the face. Her wings faltered slightly; forcing her to drop.

Khan snorted dismissively.

“Don’t count this old girl out just yet!”

The sun princess flexed her wings into a full spread. Golden sunlight shined from her descending body; blinding Khan temporarily. She fired a yellow lasso beam from her horn towards Khan’s neck. The lasso successfully grabbed onto his armored body. Celestia dragged him down with her, crashing both into the ground with thunderous quakes. The mare reared back her hind legs and kicked the still-extended spiked tail club back to its tyrannical owner.

CLANG! BAM!

The tail club struck Khan in the face before he could fully recover. He was knocked clean off his hooves; slamming back first into a boulder. The impact crackled the boulder like an egg. He lay there, surrounded by crumbling stone and rock particles. Celestia took this moment to catch her breath. She felt her energy continuing to dwindle as the sky darkened.

“Luna will be raising the moon anytime now. My powers are growing weaker with each passing moment. But even so, I can still slow him down. I just can’t believe he’s become so ruthless and barbaric after all these years,” she thought to herself.

Khan teleported out of the rock suddenly. He reappeared across from the panting Alicorn, his tail fully retracted. Celestia bit her lip gloomily.

“Not bad Celestia, not bad. Though I surmise you won’t be keeping this pace for much longer. All those years of peacekeeping have left you weak, as expected,” Khan cruelly jabbed.

“It is not weak to value life, Khan. Even the wisest pony knows that it is not up to them alone to decide the fate of another’s species,” she retorted.

“Save your insipid prattling for the classroom, miss mentor. Your wisdom means nothing to me. I was your true source of wisdom, I was the one who you trusted time and time again, and then you turned your back on me and left me for dead, your fate was sealed that day,” he snapped.

“How have you survived all this time, or the fall for that matter? My royal guard combed that site for weeks. We found no trace of you for miles. Even without the dragon’s fire, the fall alone should have killed you,” Celestia firmly demanded.

“Heh, you’d be surprised what you could live through. Though I doubt that means much to one who was so selfishly bestowed long lasting life,” he brusquely quipped.

“At least my magic was earned Khan; I didn’t have to resort to stealing and treachery to get it.”

Her words cut deep into Khan’s blackened heart. He glared loathingly at her, visibly irritated by her crude yet accurate claim.

“Starswirl’s plate, Sombra’s horn, the Diabolikuff helmet; even the Alicorn amulet, every bit of your new power was stolen from others. You never could accept your own limitations. That was always your biggest flaw,” she sneered mercilessly. Her soothing voice sounded as cold and unfeeling as Khan’s armor.

“Your infinite compassion is yours. Equestria has endured over a thousand years of coddling and ignorance thank to you. You’ve spread your weakness like sickness. Now every stallion, mare and foal is infested with your crippling ways and must be purged so life can start anew.”

“They don’t have anything to do with this, no pony else does. This is strictly between you and me Khan. I beg of you, spare them and end this madness. It’s not too late to change. We could still put a stop to this. We could end all of this, right here right now.”

Khan chuckled snidely. Celestia’s words sounded just as laughable as they did over a thousand years ago. It was a cruel joke that never ceased being funny.

“Oh ho, I intend to princess, I intend to.”

“Please old friend…don’t do this. Despite everything that you’ve done, I have no desire to watch you suffer any further. There’s still time to change.”

“I came here to see an empire fall, and I swear on this mask that I will not rest until that dream is fulfilled and every single thing and person you know and love is burned to the ground!”

Celestia and Khan charged each other head on. Their respective horns gleamed like mystical swords, clashing beams of light that scattered sparks like raindrops. The mare’s hooves stumbled backwards. Khan was far more aggressive and forceful with his attacks than she could ever be; the princess just wasn’t that kind of mare. She felt her body slipping back. She was losing ground.

Khan roared savagely. His Pheonix wings blasted forward; streaming outwardly as two lengthy waves of concussive volcanic fire. Celestia hastily crafted a rainbow colored shield that deflected the fire streams in the nick of time. The shield dissipated as soon as the flames did. The metallic pony charged Celestia with a spiraling, black and purple energy drill emanating from his horn. She gasped in alarm. Celestia clashed her horn against Khan’s, holding him back as best she could. Their horns screeched as they grinded against one another. Khan and Celestia’s eyes were inches apart; separated only by their dueling horns.

“There was nothing I could have done Khan. By the time I made it to the battle site, you were gone. I truly believed you had perished. What more could I have done?” she asked.

“You could have stood by my side instead of against me. We could have ended the threat of the dragons before they infested our lands any further. Now you’ve left me with no choice but to punish you by punishing those anemic ponies you’ve raised,” he spat hatefully.

“You know that is not who I am, just as I know this is not who you are. You always valued the lives of Equestria’s people. For years you worked to protect the citizens from harm, how can you so willingly bring death and destruction upon them now, old friend?” she probed.

“I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND!”

The ponies separated. Both jumped back a few feet, breathing heavily with smoke sizzling from their overworked horns.

“Before we continue, there is something I’ve always wondered. Tell me Celestia…was it worth it?” he asked slyly, raising a scorched eyebrow.

“Was what worth it?”

“Betraying me and letting that scaly freak live amongst other ponies. Do you truly believe all of this pain, all of this suffering was worth letting that repulsive little monster live?” he sneered.

Without hesitation, Celestia nodded firmly. Khan was visibly shocked and irritated by such an expedient answer. “Yes…he is. Spike is a blessing that I will always cherish, always,” she said with a proud, unyielding tone. The finality in her voice convinced Khan she was telling the truth.

“Then I have nothing more to say to you, cold blooded quisling!” he growled venomously.

Khan’s fiery wings sparked to life. His horn and multiple gemstones surged with dark, powerful new magical life as he launched forward for an attack. Celestia readied herself to defend her nation and its citizens as she engaged with her old friend once more.



Meanwhile in Ponyville…

The good citizens of Ponyville were screaming and fleeing in every possible direction. Ponies abandoned their homes and carts and shops in a blind panic. Four massive monsters were terrorizing the town; each one had split off and attacked a different section of the peaceful little city. One had veered towards Sweet Apple Acres, one headed for the Golden Oak library, one was rampaging in the direction of the school and the fourth one was tearing downtown Ponyville apart.

Cheerilee looked up to see a monstrous, transparent bear claw slice a large wooden sign above her head. It belonged to an Ursa Minor. The maroon mare screamed in horror. She clutched her head with her hooves; closing her eyes to the impending death.

WHAM!

Instead of death crashing down upon her, Cheerilee felt warm, strong, comforting muscles swaddling her protectively. She took a curious peek to see what had happened. She was greeted to an Adonis of a stallion; sculpted in red fur, orange hair and the most enchanting green eyes that never failed to make her heart soar. Cheerilee had been rescued by Big Mac; he had rolled right under the sign and bashed it aside with his hooves.

“Ya’ll right Miss Cheerilee? Ah was worried Ah wouldn’t make it in time,” the burly colt said. Though not as verbal as everyone else, Cheerilee could clearly hear the intensity of his concern in his booming voice.

“I’m always just dandy when I’m in your hooves Big Mac,” she sweetly cooed. The school pony rewarded her savior with a tender, yet passionate kiss. “My hero,” she giggled.

“Eeyup” he replied with a sheepish, shimmering blush.

“Hey, Ahm all for romance and all but don’t you think we need to keep movin’ big brother?” Apple Bloom interjected.

In all the commotion of falling signs and handsome heroes, Cheerilee didn’t realize Big Mac was carting all of his family in the wagon. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom poked their heads out from behind Big Mac; mixed in with all the luggage they managed to stuff into the cart. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo also emerged from the cluttered cart.

“Girls? Granny Smith? Where are you all going? I thought you’d be hold up at the-“

“The farm’s gone…we…we couldn’t save it,” Big Mac gloomily interrupted. Cheerilee gasped in horror. The Apple family hung their heads in devastated shame. “Some nasty, 4 headed lizard came in and tor the whole place up. Our fields, our trees, even our barn; it’s all bein’ ripped to pieces as we speak. Ah got everyone together and got em outta there before we lost anythin’ else,” he sadly confessed.

“Oh Big Mac, sweetie, I’m so terribly sorry,” Cheerilee sobbed. Tears started to slowly drip down her cheeks. “This is…this is just horrible.”

“What’s done is done, can’t do nothin’ bout it now. Ahm just glad we got our cabooses out before things got messy. What about you Miss Cheerilee, what are you doin’ out in all this nastiness?” Granny Smith inquired.

“Several students and their parents, along with many other ponies, came rushing to the school to use the supply basement for an underground shelter. I went to go out and find more ponies to bring back, but now some horrible crustacean monster is heading for the school. I need some pony to help me get the other ponies out before the creature reaches them,” Cheerilee frantically pleaded.

The Earth ponies flinched at the sound of more buildings being smashed to pieces. They turned and saw the Ursa Minor was still demolishing everything in his path. The yellow eyed, celestial monster was just as aggressive and massive as they remembered when Snails and Snips lead it here.

“I don’t know how I’m going to find any pony willing to help with everything that’s going on. Everyone is just trying to make it out of here in one piece, but I can’t leave the ponies at the school trapped there,” Cheerilee insisted.

“We got to do something. Cutie Mark Crusaders don’t abandon ponies in their time of need,” Sweetie Bell boldly declared.

“I just wish our sisters were here. They’d know what to do,” Scootaloo sighed worriedly.

“All you had to do was say the word, good buddy!”

The orange Pegasus’s eyes sparkled with joy. She knew that voice all too well. All eyes turned to Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and the rest of their friends and family. The heroes had returned at last. The Crusaders leapt towards their respected sisters and embraced them in gripping bear hugs. Despite the overwhelming panic being caused by the rampaging monsters, Twilight looked fully alert and prepared to handle this situation.

“We were so worried about you guys,” Apple Bloom chirped.

“Is that creepy metal face guy behind all these monster attacks again?” Sweetie Bell squeaked.

“Say, where’s Fluttershy, wasn’t she with you guys when you left?” Scootaloo prodded.

“Sorry to cut the reunion short girls but we’ve got work to do,” Twilight asserted. Big Mac followed her lead and scooped up the Crusaders, safely placing them back in the cart. “There are too many major threats going on at once, so we’ll have to split up to deal with them. Rainbow Dash: you go with Big Mac and Cheerilee and take care of this crustacean creature while they’re evacuating the ponies from the school. Applejack: take Hopeful and see if you can stop or slow down the beast that’s wrecking Sweet Apple acres. Save as much of your home as you can but be careful. Spike and Rarity will handle the Ursa Minor here, which leaves me and Pinkie to take care of whatever’s heading towards the library; any questions?” Twilight stated.

The ponies collectively shook their heads. Everyone was ready and prepared to take on their missions.

“No offense Rainbow Dash, but you sure you can handle this monster all by yourself? You’re the only pony who doesn’t have a partner to back you up,” Scootaloo cautiously meeped.

“Don’t worry squirt. Arrowhead is going to meet up with me, he’s just finishing up something before he gets here,” the cyan Pegasus said confidently.

“But Rainbow; we haven’t heard nothin’ from him since he went into the mountains. You can’t just-”

“He will be here, AJ; I know he will. Arrowhead promised me he’d make it back, and if he promised he’d be back than that’s exactly what he’s going to do,” she affirmed curtly. Rainbow winced slightly; her magenta eyes showing flecks of uncertainty, but her voice remained firm in its conviction.

“All right every pony. Split up, work together and above all else; stay safe. Head to the Foal Mountains as soon as you’re finished, Princess Celestia is still going to need our help. Let’s go!” Twilight declared.

The ponies scattered towards their designated monsters and damage control zones. Spike and Rarity remained still seeing as their target, the Ursa Minor; was just around the corner. The pair looked at each other intensely.

“Rarity, don’t take this the wrong way but I’m worried about doing this with you. I know I don’t have that much more fighting experience than you do, but I got claws, scales and fire breathing and-and I’m just scared of what could happen to you,” he sighed worryingly.

Rarity giggled teasingly, she “booped” Spike’s nose. She smiled lovingly at his adorably confused face. “Oh Spikey Wikey, you’ve grown up so much and yet you still act like that sweet little dragon who followed me around the shop like a lost puppy sometimes,” she said. Spike blushed at her playful analogy. “But I’ll have you know I’m just as worried about something happening to you as well; fire-breath or not. I’m no stranger to danger darling, and besides, nothing will happen as long as my big, strong, handsome dragon in shining scales is by my side, right?” she cooed tenderly.

Spike’s fears nearly melted to nothingness. Her words, her touch, her smile; such a combination could convince the dragon to agree to just about anything. “Fair point,” he conceded with a warm hearted laugh, “we do this like we plan on doing everything else from now on: together.” Rarity nodded whole heartedly in agreement.

The pair gave each other a quick peck on the lips and charged into battle. The colossal blue creature was slashing his claws into Ponyville’s local tavern. Berry Punch screamed as the Ursa Minor plucked her up by her hot pink tail. The beast opened his fang filled jaws; dangling the berry colored mare above his cavernous gullet. Berry Punch couldn’t believe she was about to be eaten like a grape. The Ursa Minor dropped her into his maw.

CHOMP!

The beast crunched his jaws on his fruit flavored treat but frowned once he realized there was no pony rolling around in his mouth. Rarity had used her magic to catch Berry Punch and safely relocate her back to the ground. Berry Punch thanked the fashionista and quickly fled the scene before the Ursa Minor tried to get a second taste. The celestial bear roared with thunderous frustration.

“HEY, FURBALL”! The Ursa Minor turned in the direction of that feminine shriek. He looked down and spotted Rarity calling him out. “Now that I have your attention: if you want to eat something then why not try sinking your teeth into moi?” she said; purring in a sultry voice. The white mare was lying provocatively on her fainting couch, batting her eyelashes and making kissing noises towards the hairy predator. Her legs crossed alluringly with her plum tail coiling smoothly along her calves. “This should get his attention,” she thought.

Spike’s eyes bulged into a pair of twin, thumping hearts. His face was consumed by the redness of his blushing. He squeaked sheepishly as steam fired from his ears. Spike collapsed to the ground, still struggling to contain his overwhelming hormones.

“Darling, what in Equestria was that all about? All I was trying to do was attract the beast’s attention, not give you a heart attack,” Rarity scolded.

“Hey it’s not my fault you flashed him the goods like that. How’s a guy supposed to keep his head clear when you’re looking all seductive and stuff?” Spike said; muffled through his claws. The nervous drake prayed Rarity didn’t notice the little nosebleed her flashy stunt had caused.

“Ah, well I never! Can’t a girl show a little flare without it being turned into something more risqué?” she argued.

“You mean like you showed those guards when you were interrogating them over Rainbow Dash’s innocence?” he irritably retorted.

“GRRRRR! Curse that tattle tailing Rainbow Dash, I can’t believe she told you about that!” she whined grumpily.

Despite the escalation of their spontaneous argument, the Ursa Minor had no interest in listening to them squabble all day. The monstrous bear lunged towards the arguing fashionista. His jaws cracked open and fangs bared; ready to devour the mare in one swift gulp. Rarity screamed in horror upon seeing the gleaming jaws mere inches away from her petrified frame.

Spike instantly ceased bickering and rushed to the aid of his beloved seamstress. He jammed his claws against the carnivorous jaws and pried them open. The Ursa Minor grunted in surprise. Spike was digging his claws into the ground and actually managing to hold the colossal bear back, though just barely. He felt his lanky arms wobbling under the crushing pressure.

“M-m-m-maybe we should talk later when were not, you know, about to be ripped to shreds by a giant bear monster?” Spike groaned; forcing a weak laugh under his breath.

“Agreed. Don’t worry darling, I think I have just the thing that’ll take care of those ghastly teeth. I just need something to move him towards that,” she pondered. Rarity pointed towards the water tower nearby, the same water tower Twilight used as a baby bottle the last time the Ursa Minor attacked.

“Ugh, yeah sure, I think I can manage that. But I don’t think a lullaby is going to work a second time,” Spike grunted.

“I’ve got something a little bit different in mind,” she smirked mischievously.

The drake didn’t know what she had planned but whatever it was, it had to be good for her to smile like that. Spike stared down the other worldly gullet; straining to keep the jaws open. An idea flashed across his jade eyes. He opened his own mouth and blasted an engorging green flame right down the beasts’ throat. The Minor’s golden eyes bulged with scorching red veins and sizzling sweat drops. He stood up and roared at the sensations burning inside of him. His paws quickly latched across the water tower and placed it into his lips. As planned, the Ursa Minor was fully focused on guzzling down the tower’s icy cool contents instead of the dragon and unicorn.

Rarity magically elevated several steel plates and wooden beams from the base of the tower. She wove the materials into a series of strings and ties; securely locking the Ursa Minor’s claws and jaws like a muzzle. It was just like building bird’s nests during winter wrap up. The beast was completely baffled. Everything was happening so fast, he couldn’t react in time to avoid it. He wobbled on his hind legs; struggling to pull his bound lips and paws free. The Ursa Minor had been successfully cuffed and muzzled to the water tower.

“Now that is what I call a situation that is sufficiently wrapped up,” Rarity said. She giggled mirthfully at her own little joke.

“Whoa, that’s pretty cool Rarity. You think that’s going to be strong enough to hold him though?” Spike inquired.

“It’s not my best work, admittedly, but it should do until we can find a way to sing him to sleep once again.”

SNAP!

As if on cue, the monstrous bear ripped himself free from his bindings and sliced them apart. The transparent brute was boiling, burning with an insatiable rage. Rarity and Spike looked at each other; both gravely pale in the face. The Ursa Minor launched his bulging, bluish body right for the paralyzed pair.

“On second thought, we could always just RUN!!!”

Spike and Rarity ran as quickly as their pumping legs could carry them. They dare not look behind. The beast’s quaking footprints were stomping closer and closer, the fleeing couple knew if they stopped for even a second; it would all be over. Spike dared to look behind and found a truly frightening sight awaiting him. The Ursa Minor raised one of his paws high into air, he loomed its shadow over Rarity’s fleeting form. He was going to slice Rarity to ribbons!

“GET DOWN!”

The drake tackled Rarity to the ground and covered her body with his own. If it meant she’d survive this deadly attack, he’d gladly give his life for her. Rarity fiercely protested but Spike refused to budge and she found he was far too strong to push off. They both closed their eyes and waited for what would follow.

The brutish beast slashed his claws against Spike’s hide. The claws cracked like glass upon impact, they dropped to the ground as shards and mangled fragments. Pain soaked roars echoed in the night from the monster’s howling jaws. Spike and Rarity opened their eyes; both surprised at absence sensations of pain coursing through their bodies. The young dragon examined his back and found no scars or scrapes whatsoever. His purple scales were just as immaculate as before.

“Heh, who knew?” he laughed; shrugging.

WHAM!

The Ursa Minor smacked Spike with a hefty swipe of his only functioning pair of claws, back handing him. Spike was blasted like a rocket into a fruit and vegetable stand. Scattered chunks of broken wood and squashed produce rained down upon the wounded dragon. Rarity called out to him. She ran to his aid but was promptly snatched up by the Ursa Minor. He clutched his clawless paw around her body; attempting to crush her into paste.

“Ugh, unhand me you horrid, fowl smelling brute,” Rarity snapped defiantly.

“Hey, you heard the lady. Put. Her. Down. Now!” Spike barked.

Unphased by either of their threats, the Ursa Minor snarled in response and raised Rarity higher into the air. Spike pursed his lips in preparation for a fiery attack. The Ursa Minor attacked first though. He stomped his foot over Spike; squashing him as if he were an ant.

“SPIKE, NOOOO! You heartless savage, HOW COULD YOU?!?” she shrieked.

Her anger fueled her magic like never before. Rarity’s blue aura amassed into a powerful, pulsating ball of raw, seething rage. The beast roared at her scornful glare; drops of spittle splattered across her luxurious mane and well-groomed fur. Her resolve was absolute; the grossest act imaginable could not deter her now. She blasted the beast right between his rotten egg yellow eyes. He snarled in pain and dropped Rarity. As Rarity’s hooves landed safely on the ground, smoke started sizzling from under the foot that had crushed Spike. The Ursa Minor roared once again. His foot was lifted up by the very dragon he thought he crushed, flames and brimstone dribbled from Spike’s lips as he shoved the monster off of him.

“Thank Celestia your all right. Now we can finish this just as we started it: together!” Rarity proudly beamed.

Spike grunted in agreement; too strained from pushing the bear back to answer her. Rarity used every ounce of her magic to help topple the bear and bring him down once and for all. Despite the success of their combined attacks, the Ursa Minor was still too massive and bulky to push all the way back. The beast regained his momentum and reversed the direction of his falling form. The Ursa Minor was intentionally collapsing forward; attempting to crush the pony and dragon with his body weight. Spike and Rarity sweated profusely. Their mental and physical muscles struggled to uphold the colossal creature; they could feel themselves weakening as he descended.

“Ugh, R-r-r-rarity…I…I don’t know how much longer we can do this,” Spike nervously admitted.

“I know just….just…keep it together a bit longer. We have to, we just have to!” she cried out.



Applejack and Hopeful arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, or rather, what remained of it. All of the southern mare’s worst fears had been confirmed. The farm lay in tattered ruins. The apple orchards were flattened by gargantuan footprints, apple trees were chomped into mangled piles of broken wood. Even a hurricane’s most destructive force couldn’t compare to the severity of this monstrous rampage.

“Ah…Ah…just can’t believe it. Sweet Apple Acres, it’s…it’s just gone,” she choked achingly.

“Fair maiden, look over there, it’s the monster Big Mac spoke of,” Hopeful said; quickly altering AJ’s attention towards the location of the barn.

The barn was currently being assaulted by a bronze colored gigantic reptile. It had puke green eyes, red hair like scales, thick black eyebrows, but most noticeably; it had 4 long, lankly snake like necks. Applejack instantly recognized the monster as the same Hydra she encountered from Froggy Bottom Bogg.

The multi-headed beast stomped directly into the barn. The building collapsed inward; shingles from the roof were scattered across the fields. The snapping heads pecked the building like birds bobbing for a drink. Each blow weakened the structure more and more, until the entire barn collapsed down and was reduced to a pile of broken debris.

“NOOOOO! LEAVE MAH FAMILY’S HOME ALONE YOU-”

“Applejack please, we can’t just fight them head on. They’ll kill us without even trying,” Hopeful warned. He struggled to hold his unruly girlfriend. He knew this was unbearable for her, but he couldn’t let her face this monster without thinking. “We need to be smart about this,” he added.

“Ah know yer right, Sugar. But Ah can’t just sit here and let this overgrown snake destroy everythin’ mah family built. We got to do somethin’ before there’s nothin’ left for Apple Bloom and the others to come home to,” she whimpered; helplessly.

“We will, I promise. Homes and barns can always be rebuilt. But there’s only one of you, and if something happened to you then…then it’d be like losing Wild Heart all over again,” he implored. The red colt sweetly kissed AJ’s freckle cheek; inciting a small blush from her.

“Ah don’t plan on goin’ down with the ship now lover boy, but Ah don’t plan on lettin’ him have his way either. We may not be unicorns but Ah plan to do whatever it takes to stop him and that’s the honest Applejack truth,” she nodded firmly.

The blond mare raced towards the menacing Hydra. She noticed he was making his way to the last standing family structure: her house. Hopeful flew right behind her; refusing to let her out of his sight.

“Please don’t do this fair maiden! Both of our families have suffered enough losses, neither one wants to endure anymore,” he pleaded. He knew she wasn’t going to listen. She was too stubborn for her own good, a trait he usually admired but right now was finding quite frustrating.

“Yer right, both families have lost their fair shares, which is why Ahm makin’ sure Sweet Apple Acres isn’t lost too. Ah got a plan to deal with that 4 headed varmint that hopefully won’t get me killed,” she replied.

“Us killed, a plan that hopefully won’t get us killed. Don’t forget that win or lose, I’m with you to the end my love,” Hopeful said with pride. The smile on his face reeked of cockiness and blind adoration. It made the red Pegasus end up looking even more handsome to the Earth pony.

“Heh, Ah’d expect nothing less from the man who lassoed mah heart,” she saucily teased.

She quickly relayed to him her idea and instructed him to distract Hydra away from the house. The plan was to turn him around towards the flattened Southern apple fields; Applejack would have something waiting for him there.

Hopeful nodded and flew towards the multi-headed creature. He made a quick stop to scoop up as many apples as his hooves could carry, they’d be perfect for getting the monster’s attention. The scarlet Pegasus hovered directly behind the monster’s bobbing heads. He chucked the apples like baseballs at all of the Hydra’s heads. The fruit splattered irritatingly against their bronze scalps and red scales. The Hydra turned all 4 of its heads around, 3 of the heads roared fiercely at Hopeful while the 4th looked indifferent; rolling its eyes and smacking its lips lazily. The flying colt flinched. He waved meekly at the 4 heads, turned tail and zoomed towards the fields at lightning fast speeds.

The Hydra turned around and followed Hopeful without a second thought. The Pegasus whistled loudly; signaling for Applejack to maneuver her plan into action. He touched down where she told him she’d be and quickly assisted her. The Hydra’s heads separated their surveillance: 2 looked to the skies while 2 looked to the ground. No sign of the ponies anywhere. What the beast failed to notice was the shimmering, steel wire like cables latched across multiple stumps and fallen trees in a layered, tripwire fashion. Applejack and Hopeful hid behind opposing trees; pulling on different sides of the wires with their teeth and hooves.

“NOW!” they shouted in unison.

The Hydra’s foot tripped the wires. The 4 heads screeched in surprise. Every inch of the Hydra fell forward, the monsters 4 heads slammed face first into the ground with a monumental body slam. Applejack and Hopeful leapt into action. They ran more lines of those durable wires across the Hydra’s back and over its lankly necks; pinning it down with hammered stakes secured in the ground. The clever ponies managed to finish their work before the Hydra could get back onto its feet. The scaly beast snarled as it struggled against its bindings. Hopeful and Applejack kept a safe distance from the creature; standing towards the back by its tail.

“Whew golly, thank Celestia that did the trick,” she sighed in relief.

“That was incredible fair maiden. The monster is down for the count and you managed to save your family home. Where in the world did you get that miraculous wire?” he chirped curiously.

“Apple family Zap apple harvest cords. When mah family first started harvestin’ Zap apples, they didn’t know if it was safe to touch em after they bucked em. So they made these cords from nearby minerals and ores so that they could withstand the shock from the Zap apples when they were harvested,” Applejack explained.

“How did you know they’d be strong enough to topple a Hydra?”

“Ah didn’t. Ah was hopin’ they’d work but Ah didn’t know for sure, Ah just wagered they’d be strong since they can handle Zap apple shocks,” she hesitantly confessed.

“Well it paid off, that’s for sure. We should probably go help the others since this one’s not going anywhere. I’m sure Twilight will have some way of getting him out of here safely AND help you rebuild Sweet Apple acres,” Hopeful beamed.

Applejack was about to agree with her boyfriend, but something clicked in her mind that drew her attention back to her family home. He noticed it and kindly inquired what was on her mind.

“Just a sec, Sugar, Ah want to get somethin’ from mah room. Ah came too close to losin’ it today so Ah’d feel better knowin’ Ah had it with me,” she said hurriedly. The orange mare was already rushing into the home before Hopeful could even ask what she was going back for.

He shrugged and decided to just wait for her here and keep an eye on the Hydra. The monster’s struggling increased dramatically, its frustration was intensifying. Hope became worried these wires might not be as strong as AJ surmised. The Hydra attempted to push its body up and away the ground but the wires restricted it. The noodle-like necks pressed against the wires so tightly, they actually sliced through the bronze flesh and beheaded all 4 of the monster’s heads. Their stumpy necks wiggled heedlessly as the monster started to stand up on its chubby little legs.

“OH CRAP!” he blurted out.

Hopeful rushed towards the headless monster; desperate to secure the cords before the beast rose up and sprouted 8 new heads. He knew it seemed bleak but he had to try. One of the cords snapped from the pressure of the Hydra’s bulging shoulder blade, it whipped across the field and collided with Hopeful; striking right across his chest. The colt flew back like a cannonball and crashed into an apple tree. The whiplash from the tree’s branches blitzed him face first into the ground; his body collapsing to the side, tilting his blurring view of Applejack’s family home sideways. The throbbing pain in his skull and ribs was overloading his mind to the point of blacking out.

“F-f-f-fair….f-f-fair maiden,” he mumbled; drool dripped slowly from his slack jawed lips.

His eyes closed for the briefest of moments, though it could have been longer; the concussion he no doubt suffered from made it hard to know for sure. The colt’s little ears twitched. His eyes stirred jarringly back to life. The world looked blurry and unclear, like staring through an ocean of mirages in the haze of the morning. Hopeful heard 3 distinct sounds ringing in his head: a mare’s screams, wood shattering and a series of revoltingly grotesque slurps.

“What the...Oh no! Applejack!!!” he screamed suddenly.

Hopeful jolted back onto his hooves. The skull splitting pain in his head still plagued him; just as his aching ribs did, but he didn’t have time to deal with them now. He needed to make sure she was safe. Hopeful flew into the sky like a scarlet rocket. Much to his horror, he had found the source of those dreadful sounds.

The now-8-headed-Hydra had attacked Applejack’s home while the southern mare was still inside. The first Hydra head had taken a monstrous bite out of the house, as if it were an apple. The 8th hydra head bobbed down and took a bite of its own where the first head had penetrated. Slowly, the Hydra fully turned around and revealed the gruesome results of its attacks: Applejack’s legs and flanks were dangling out of one of the monster’s many mouths. Her waist was poking out of those sickening, scaly lips; legs flailing uselessly in midair. AJ’s blond tail wiggled like a clanging dinner bell. Hopeful could even hear garbled bits of muffled protests screaming under the flesh of the Hydra’s neck. The head lewdly slurped up Applejack’s rump and legs and gulped her down like a slippery noodle. A pony shaped lump wiggled down the long, winding neck of the Hydra creature.

Hopeful’s mouth was frozen agape. He was so immeasurably mortified, he couldn’t even think straight.

The 2nd head licked its lips, lapping up any lingering flavors from the Earth pony; despite not being the actual head that devoured her. The 3rd head belched loudly. All 8 heads tasted the same residual flavors from their pony snack, all sharing the same stomach and body.

“No…no…no…no…No-No-No-No-NOOOOOO,” the Pegasus howled. Fury burned brightly in his feathers and veins. “You…you…I swear I will make you PAY!” he thundered.

Hopeful looked for the closest weapon he could find: an axe. It lay temptingly on the ground amongst the wreckage of the barn. He dashed towards it at blinding speeds that would’ve impressed Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus snagged the axe from the ground, flew up towards the Hydra and raised it high above his head. The reptilian behemoth stood firm; unimpressed by the pony’s daring charge.

“BRING HER BACK, OR ELSE I’M GOING TO CHOP DOWN EACH AND EVERY-”

Hopeful didn’t get a chance to finish his threat. The 6th head lunged forward and chomped Hopeful’s axe into splinters. The other 7 remaining heads ganged up on Hopeful. They snapped relentlessly at the defenseless pony. He barely managed to wiggle his way away from each head before they landed any bites. Hopeful zoomed out of their biting reach; distancing himself from the Hydra and their carnivorous jaws. The monster’s heads mockingly laughed at the frightened Pegasus.

“What am I going to do? The longer she stays in there, the greater the chance she’ll be digested! I can’t leave her, but I don’t have any way of hurting this beast or even getting close to it,” he babbled anxiously. Hopeful clutched his head. The throbbing pain in his head was growing worse as he panicked uncontrollably. “What am I going to do? What am I going to do?!?”

His frazzled eyes were inescapably locked on that still-squirming bulge in the bottom of the beast’s belly. Applejack was trapped in that world of flesh and death and if he didn’t do something to get her out, she’d be gone forever. Staring at that bulge, oddly enough, managed to give him an idea on how to get her out. But to do it, he’d need another Pegasus to help him. Amongst all the chaos from the invasion, most of the Pegasai had already fled to the skies. Much to Hopeful’s surprise however, he spotted a lone grey Pegasus flying overhead.

It was Derpy Hooves!

“Miss Hooves, Miss Hooves! Thank the stars you’re here,” Hopeful called out.

The cross eyed Pegasus halted mid-flight upon hearing her name. She gasped seeing Hopeful flying towards her. She also spotted the Hydra still laying waste to Sweet Apple Acres in the background.

“Mr. Romantic err-I mean Hopeful, what’s going on? Is everything all right? Err well heh, I mean besides the invading monsters of course,” she said sheepishly; her cheeks turning pink.

“Applejack’s been swallowed whole by that monster! I need your help to get her out of there,” he blurted out alarmingly.

“Oh my muffins, that’s horrible! Of course I’ll help, what do you need me to do?” she asked.

“I need you to get a cloud and jump on it with everything you’ve got,” he instructed.

“B-b-but what good will that do? Every cloud I touch turns into a storm cloud,” she replied; deeply embarrassed.

“But that’s exactly what I need!”

Derpy stared blankly at the red colt. He was actually telling her he WANTED her to screw up the weather!

“I’m going to load myself up with all sorts of metal objects from the Apple family’s home. I’ll fly crazy fast into the Hydra’s stomach, and just when I do, you’ll hit me with every volt you’re packing and super charge me. The force will knock Applejack right out of his stomach and out of its mouth,” he clarified.

“Are you nuts?!? That’s going to kill you! You’ll be charbroiled into burnt muffin bits before you even hit that thing’s tummy,” Derpy wailed frantically.

Hopeful sighed. “Yes, that is a possibility, but I’m also going to be wrapping those Apple family Zap apple harvest cords around my body. They’re designed to take a whole lot of voltage. They should protect me long enough to do enough damage to pop her out. I know it’s dangerous, but I have to try or else my fair maiden will perish,” he said solemnly.

Derpy smiled, tears dribbled down her googly eyes. She surprised him with a tender hug. “That was the prettiest thing I’ve ever heard. Of course I’ll help you! I’d do anything for my friends, especially when it means helping true love,” she proudly asserted.

The bubbly mare flew off and managed to scrounge up a single cloud. Hopeful loaded his body up with multiple metallic objects, including a cooking pot, cheese graders, gardening tools and a trash can lid. He wore all of the metal objects like a cheaply constructed suit of pony armor. The zap apple cords were wrapped around his chest and limbs like arm bands. The fluffy cloud changed from white to stormy grey the moment Derpy’s hooves touched it. Thunder and flickering sparks of lighting sputtered out of the cloud’s sides.

“Okay, we’ve only got one shot at this so let’s make it count,” he grunted confidently. As the red colt adjusted his makeshift lightning rod suit, a curious question popped into his mind about Derpy’s sudden appearance. “By the way Derpy, I have to ask, what were you doing all the way out here anyway? I thought you evacuated with every pony else in Ponyville,” he inquired.

“Oh that,” she laughed awkwardly, “I was all set to leave town but then I saw Doctor Whooves heading somewhere else, so I started following him and…heh…long story short: I got blinded by his cuteness and got lost.” The bubbly mare could scarcely contain the rosy blushes from overtaking her face. She felt like such a ditz; getting distracted by him so easily.

“Well I don’t know what I’d have done if you weren’t here. It’s thanks to you getting lost that I have the means to save Applejack, I am in your debt miss,” Hopeful said sincerely.

Derpy was slightly stunned by the colt’s kind words. No one had ever said her klutziness had helped them before. She always thought it was something she should be ashamed of or try harder fixing. The cross eyed mare embraced Hopeful in a warm hug and giggled appreciatively. Hopeful flinched; having difficulty hugging her back with all of his clanking pots and pans, but he happily returned the gesture as best he could. Derpy positioned herself onto the cloud and saluted her fellow Pegasus.

“Ready when you are!” she chirped.

Hopeful nodded in return. He looked back towards the menacing Hydra; it was still leveling Applejack’s home, trying to find other ponies to eat. The young poet took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for what could be the end of his life with Applejack.

Wild Heart…if you’re up there watching me…then you know there’s a good chance I might be joining you soon. And though the idea of reuniting with you brings a smile to my face, I must confess something. I’m not ready to go yet. I’ve found a woman worth living for. I was lost when you died, but with her I feel like I have a place in the world again. I want to see what Heaven looks like through her eyes; not my own. If I fall today then so be it, but I’m hoping, wishing, praying that this isn’t the day my life ends, rather; I pray this is the day our lives begin.

The rose red pony soared towards the Hydra. His arms and legs folded back; allowing his body to be propelled forward even faster with more momentum. Screeching winds started to shriek by Hopeful’s line of sight. He felt the air tighten all around him, flowing by faster and louder as he approached the monster. The colt wondered if this is what Rainbow Dash goes through when she performs the sonic rainboom. The Hydra’s belly was rapidly approaching his rocketing form. Hopeful screamed “NOW” as loudly as possible.

Derpy leapt onto the cloud and flushed out every bolt of lightning and surge of electricity stored in the small mound of clouds. The energy was almost instantly drawn to the metallic objects placed around Hopeful’s body. It zoomed after him at break neck speeds.

Hopeful cried out as the voltage struck him. His black locks perked up and waved vivaciously from the overload of electricity. The energy was amplified tremendously; overwhelming every muscle in Hopeful’s rocketing body. He ignored the pain as best he could and raced toward that wriggling belly bulge like a bullseye.

WHAM!

The Pegasus slammed into the Hydra with the force of a meteor. The infectious voltage spread from Hopeful’s body across the Hydra’s; electrifying both. The creature’s many heads cried out in unison, their screeching howls echoed across the devastated farmland. The wriggling bulge ascended from the belly straight up through one of the Hydra’s necks. The beast’s 3rd head coughed and wheezed as if it was hacking up a hair ball. Applejack was violently regurgitated from the slime soaked bowels of the beast’s belly. Hopeful smiled contently, she was covered in slime and unconscious; but she was alive. He continued to struggle with the crippling pains racking his body. Her drenched form was sent hurdling across the farm. She was rapidly plummeting to the ground.

“Oh no, if she hits the ground at that velocity, she’ll die! I’ve got to-” he grunted in pain; nearly descending to the ground. Hopeful felt like his whole body was on fire. Every part of him was aching in searing hot pain, especially his wings. “It doesn’t matter if every part of my body is fried or broken or both, I am going to save her and not even death itself is going to stop me,” he declared.

Hopeful propelled himself off the Hydra’s body. The beast collapsed backwards onto the house; destroying it completely. Its many heads groaned weakly amongst the wreckage. Try as it might, the Hydra could not stand back up. A large black burn mark sizzled on the Hydra’s belly where Hopeful struck. Applejack continued to descend to the ground at an alarming rate. Hopeful’s wings struggled to flap faster but were barely keeping him air born at his current pace. Everything hurt. Shadowy burn marks covered most of his body, his joints straining with every motion.

“Come on you stupid wings. I need you to work. You can fall off my body after this for all I care, but right now, I need you to work!” he grimaced. The colt stared hatefully at his withered wings. His voice grew louder and angrier; as if yelling at them would make them work. “Come on, come on; work, work damn you, just WOOOOOORRRRRRRRKKKKK!”

The colt’s ungodly scream seemed to have sparked something in his broken body. His wings raised full spread; they snapped like whips and blasted the battered pony off into a sonic burst. Applejack’s falling figure was getting closer quickly. Hopeful maneuvered his rocketing form under his beloved’s body. It was hard to position properly with both of them moving so fast. Eventually, Hopeful aligned their bodies up just right, dashed under AJ and opened his hooves up to catch her as she fell into him.

Her soggy body lumped into him like a hoof ball. The force sent the pair spiraling towards the ground. Hopeful wrapped all 4 of his hooves around Applejack, shielding her with his own body. His wings were useless now. All he could do was hold onto her and protect her as best he could; hoping she’d be safe and he took all the damage. He closed his eyes as heard the ground approaching.

CRACK! SNAP!

The poet’s body crashed into the ground, bouncing unforgivingly like a bloodied soccer ball. Something new cracked or broke each time he struck Earth. His wings, limbs, nose, ears; even his tail were gruesomely mangled in the fall. He finally stopped rolling. Hopeful’s limbs lifelessly released Applejack. Only one of his eyes had the strength to open up and check on her, thankfully, she was fine save for a few bruises. The crippled Pegasus couldn’t even feel his wings anymore. He tilted his head to look at them; they looked like an elephant stomped on them.

Applejack’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She groaned achingly, her whole body felt sore and slick with some kind of ‘repulsive muck’ as Rarity would say. “What in the Sam hill-” she gasped; startled and shocked at the horrific sight before her eyes, Hopeful: bruised, broken and bleeding. “Oh mah stars, SUGAR! What the Heck happened to ya?!?” she screamed alarmingly. Her heart was pounding in her chest. All she could see was blood everywhere.

“He tried to…he tried to take you away. I wasn’t going to…let that happen,” he groaned. “Are you…all-all right?”

“Are you nuts?!? Yer sittin’ here all broken and busted, and ya’ll are askin’ if AHM okay?” she blurted out. The Pegasus weakly offered a stiff nod in reply. AJ almost laughed she was so flabbergasted. She wiped a few oncoming tears from her eyes; sniffling loudly. “Yer just too much, Sugar. Looks Ah got mahself one Heck of a crazy feller,” she said; forcing a weak smile.

“I’m just glad I got to see your face…one…last…time…before I-”

“Y’all can plant that load of manure, ya hear? Don’t you dare talk like that again. Yer banged up, that’s for sure but Ahm gonna get ya to the hospital and they’re gonna fix ya up; smooth as a freshly polished apple,” she said unquestionably.

Hopeful tried to reply but was stifled but a violent cough. His ribs were cracked in numerous places; he could feel the pain soaking into his lungs. Applejack could only watch in horror as her lover’s body thrashed erratically. He was going to die if she didn’t get him help soon.

“I…I don’t know what to do! I just…I don’t have any magic…no first aid kit…I got nothing, nothing at all! But I just…I have to…there’s so much blood…but he can’t…there’s got to be…”

She found herself becoming more and more frantic. Her hooves ran anxiously through her golden locks; bits of blood smeared amongst the blond strands. She didn’t notice. The Earth pony started screaming across what remained of her home, her anguished voice echoed like the wailing of a spirit.

“HELP! SOME PONY, ANY PONY, PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE!” she wailed.

Applejack broke down into a series of heaving sobs. Her tears intensified, hooves banging into the ground in powerless frustration. She was so overwhelmed with anguish; she didn’t even hear or notice the Hydra’s body starting to stir.

“Did I…did I ever tell you what my cutie mark means?” Hopeful weakly stated. He smiled lovingly at his beloved farm mare, his eyes barely staying open.

“N-n-n-n-no, Apple Bloom kept askin’ but ya’ll never said,” she meekly answered. The deviant question left her quite perplexed. She wiped her cheeks and muzzle clean of her tears as she looked to him curiously.

“They’re symbols, 3 symbols of the 3 most important virtues that,” he coughed painfully, “that make up who I am.” Hopeful turned slightly on his side so his flank could be more visible. “The crown stands…for…for loyalty…the two hooves represent friendship…and the heart…well…you can kind of guess what that stands for,” he said; blushing brightly.

“It’s beautiful,” she sweetly replied; tears still falling.

“You are beautiful. I pledge every ounce of love, loyalty and friendship in my soul to you. Even though my life was short, it was worth so much…so very much; because you were a part of it,” he said. Hopeful extended a comforting hoof to her freckled cheek, he caressed it lovingly. AJ placed her hoof over his and held him tightly. “I love you fair maiden…don’t ever doubt your beauty or my love…for they are both eternal,” he panted. Every breath caused him more pain. His eyes struggled to remain open, looking at her as long as possible…before closing.

Hopeful’s head dropped back. His hoof fell lifelessly to the ground, he had stopped moving completely.

“NOOOO…HOPEFUL!” she shrieked.

Applejack clutched his body against her chest. She sobbed miserably into his ragdoll like body, tears soaking into his blood stained fur. The mare rocked him back and forth comfortingly.

Her time to grieve was cut short however. A monstrous shadow loomed hungrily over the pair, dozens of eyes glared mercilessly at the sobbing Earth pony. The Hydra walked with a hobble like limp; struggling to maintain its stance due to the severe burn mark weakening its body structure. The 2nd head licked its chops, looking particularly eager to devour the orange mare once again.

Applejack ceased rocking. She felt something moving against her chest; it was Hopeful.

“He’s alive! He’s breathing, it’s weak but it’s still him. There’s still a chance.” She thought.

She gently placed Hopeful down. She adjusted her hat; removing the only picture in existence of her parents from inside. The mare examined the photo responsible for drawing her back into her home when the Hydra attacked. She placed it back inside the hat; put the hat back on and locked eyes with the towering monster.

“Now you listen here monster,” she coldly snarled, “Ah ain’t puttin’ up with this bull squirt one second longer.” The Hydra looked at its multiple heads in confusion. “First ya took mah parents, than ya took mah home, now yer tryin’ to take mah man. Ah have lost more than mah fair share and Ah am tellin’ you, if ya’ll try and take him away from me again; AH WILL END YOU” she threatened.

The Hydra roared reactively; clearly unafraid of AJ’s threat. The monster thrusted its second head towards Applejack. The beast’s jaws cracked wide open and was moments away from devouring her again.

“AH SAID NO!” she howled.

Applejack reared back her bucking legs and delivered a colossal kick to the beast’s jaw. Her hooves crunched powerfully into the Hydra’s jaw; knocking the head back with intense force.

Applejack didn’t take time to admire her handy work. She scooped up Hopeful, placed him on her back and ran like the wind. She headed towards the fastest route back to town. Even if Ponyville was swarming with monsters, she had to get Hopeful to a hospital; she just had to. The Hydra shook off the kick to the jaw. All heads roared in collective aggravation. The beast stomped after Applejack.

“Were gonna make it, were gonna make it, were gonna make it,” she muttered to herself.



Big Mac and Cheerilee herded everyone from the school’s basement outside. Granny Smith and the Crusaders were forming the ponies into a straight line. Everyone followed compliantly, many anxious eyes looked to the surroundings; expecting to see a monster approaching anytime now. Rainbow Dash hovered above the crowd. She surveyed the schoolyard like a sentry, keeping a close look out for any creatures as well.

“Normally, I’d jump at the chance to throw down with some big nasty, but I can’t stop thinking about Arrowhead. He should’ve been back by now. Something is seriously wrong here,” she said anxiously.

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon screeched like a twin pair of banshees. Other fillies and ponies turned to what they were screaming at. They started panicking as well. Everyone started running and yelling; breaking formation and ignoring Big Mac and Cheerilee’s attempts to calmly assure them. Rainbow snapped out of her dreary haze.

“What? What happened? Where’s the-WHOA…what the heck is THAT thing?” Rainbow exclaimed.

Before the Pegasus stood a lanky, orange skinned crustacean-like creature; crawling on several pin thin golden, crab-like legs. It had a huge flat crayfish tail, 4 lobster-like claws, and hairy nostril hairs that drooped down. The creature’s mouth was jagged and long; it looked like a mix of a crayfish and a crocodile’s maw. Its eyes were a dark shade of crimson. Black tissue surrounded each eye, making the creature appear as if it was recently struck and given two black eyes.

“That’s a Skolopendra. It’s a huge sea creature that’s part crayfish and part shrimp; capable of surviving on land and in water,” Cheerilee said knowingly.

“That’s new to me. Guess I really should have paid more attention in class,” Rainbow said with a dry laugh.

“Yes…yes you should have,” the maroon teacher replied. Rainbow frowned. She could clearly detect a strong sense of smarminess in Cheerilee’s voice.

“Fight now, talk later,” Big Mac interjected.

“You just get all those ponies out of here. I’ll handle the rest, and don’t worry about coming back to help; I’ve got backup coming. You just protect every pony and keep on running until you’re safely out of Ponyville. Now get going!” Rainbow commanded.

Cheerilee and Big Mac collectively nodded. The Earth pony quickly rushed back to her boyfriend and assisted him in guiding the others out of harm’s way. Scootaloo looked worryingly towards Rainbow. She really wanted to stay and help but she knew she’d just get in the way. Sweetie Bell and Apple Bloom pulled her along to head out with them.

Rainbow wasted no time diving into battle. She flashed past the creepy crawler, striking him with a series of swift kicks; each blow hitting a different area. The Skolopendra flinched and screamed but otherwise showed no visible signs of damage. Its scaly armor was thicker than the speedy mare was expecting. His claws snapped feverishly after the junior Wonderbolt. Rainbow narrowly evaded each swipe, though a few stray hits had nicked off some strands of her colorful hair. She spiraled away from the beast and flew into the air to strategize her next move.

“Okay, it’ll take me hours to wear down that scaly hide of his. I know it’s hurting him it’s just not doing enough. Hmmm, maybe that underbelly of his is softer. One way to find out,” she assessed.

She blasted off back into action. Rainbow’s wings folded at just the right time to descend. She dipped past the creature’s line of sight and locked squarely on that vulnerable underbelly of his. Rainbow smiled smugly at her expert level of flying; hovering just above the ground not to be touching it. She was confident her plan was fool proof and perfectly aligned. The Skolopendra proved that neither was true. The creature’s spindly legs propped its body upwards, lifting just enough for its flat tail to swing freely. Rainbow gulped aloud. The monster’s tail slapped Rainbow into the school’s bell tower, she crashed back first into the bell; inadvertently ringing it.

“Oh, so THAT’S how you want to play it, huh? Fine by me!” she fiercely declared.

Fueled by anger and marred by humiliation, Rainbow blindly zoomed headfirst towards her snapping opponent. The pony skull bashed the beast with her own hardened head. Both fighters staggered dizzily before collapsing to the ground. They rolled on their backs, clutching their aching craniums.

“Ugh…ow…ow…I forgot,” she winced groggily, “nobody wins in a head butt.”

The Skolopendra quickly jumped back onto its feet. He moved with unpredictably fast speed, towering over Rainbow with gleaming claws. He jammed his claws into the dirt like shovels; hacking and slashing in a blind fury. Rainbow squeaked as she back pedaled away from the claws. Each swipe struck dirt and not flesh, but she knew he’d reach her eventually at this pace. She stumbled across a big, red rubber ball. No doubt a toy the fillies used to play with during recess. Rainbow chucked the ball like a catapult at the creature’s gnarled fangs.

THUNK!

The ball was wedged deep in the Skolopendra’s jaws. It grunted angrily, trying to bite through the thick ball or dislodge it from its mouth. Rainbow capitalized on this and drop kicked both her hind hooves into Skolopendra’s exposed belly. The creature’s eyes bulged comically to the same size as the ball it was gagging on. The speedy mare raised her hoof into the air and delivered a devastating uppercut to the crayfish beast. Skolopendra toppled to the ground with a miserable, muffled snarl. Its fan-like tail flopped wildly.

“AWE YEAH! Now that’s what I’m talking about,” she cheered flauntingly. Rainbow proceeded to dance in midair; just as she had when Rarity proved Wind Rider had framed her.

The Skolopendra was growing increasingly more annoyed with his foe’s obnoxious behavior. It snapped back onto feet and readied itself for round 2. The accursed ball clogging its jaws was promptly popped by one of its claws. The Skolopendra flexed all 4 of its claws; flicking the shredded remains of the ball free from its clawed appendage. Rainbow ceased her epic victory dancing and prepared to fight once more.

“All right ugly, if you’re itching to get the worst pounding of your life then bring it on! I’m ready to-”

Her boastful taunt suddenly ceased. Rainbow’s eyes curiously latched towards something on the ground, something else the Skolopendra had flung from its claws. It was a patch of fur, pony fur to be exact. The fur appeared to be an especially familiar shade of dark grey.

“That-that looks like…no….it can’t be…that’s not from him…is it?” she asked hesitantly. Rainbow suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of nausea billowing up inside of her. She felt like something was pinching her heart, suffocating her from within. Her magenta eyes shimmered timidly; glossing with fear. “Did you…did you do something to…my Arrowhead?” she gravely asked.

The Skolopendra looked directly at the concerned pony, sported a grotesquely twisted smile and laughed. The creature seemed to know enough of what Rainbow was saying that it enjoyed laughing mercilessly at her plight. The Skolopendra sharpened its claws and snapped them eagerly.

“What did you do…what did you do…TELL ME WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?” Rainbow gut wrenchingly howled. The Skolopendra just kept on laughing. Tears of anger started to drip down Rainbow’s cheeks. “I’M GONNA RIP YOU APART!” she screeched.

The cyan Pegasus struck the scaly beast with a series of blurry, blindingly fast blows; kicking, punching and bashing every possible angle on the monster’s loathsome hide. She wanted to break him. She wanted to snap every shelled limb off of his body and pummel him until there was nothing left but a greasy, orange stain.

The Skolopendra screeched in increasing irritation. He snapped his claws at Rainbow, narrowly missing her every time. Though her attacks were fast and furious, his crustacean skeleton was able to withstand a large deal of punishment.

Rainbow lunged at the beast’s gnarled face. She decked him, landed on top of his head holding his extended nostril hairs and violently yanked on them like they were horse reigns. Her hind legs dug into the beast’s skull; pulling the nostrils back as far as her muscles would allow her. The Skolopendra caught the mare off guard by striking her from behind with its tail. She was swatted to the ground; inadvertently tearing off the beast’s right nostril hair in her hooves. He pinned Rainbow’s wings and fore hooves with his 2 lower crab claws. Rainbow was trapped. She struggled fiercely but the monster was just too strong, his claws looming threateningly above her head. The Skolopendra arched its back; poised for a lethal strike that would no doubt leave the mare headless. Rainbow thrashed frantically, bucking and flapping helplessly with no success. The Skolopendra lunged forward with its gruesome jaws to deliver the final blow.

CRUNCH!

Before the amphibious monstrosity could strike, a massive, bulging grey blob plowed into its spine with the force of a cannonball. The Skolopendra’s shell cracked like corn chips. The beast howled a truly horrendous, assaulting screech that stirred the attention of every set of ears within range. The beast tumbled like a pill bug; crashing into the school with a clattering explosion.

Rainbow sat up, shocked and stunned by this surprising turn of events. The grey blob turned out to be a rather familiar grey furred pony. He had turquoise eyes, short white hair, a beefy body and a straight golden arrow on his flank. Arrowhead had returned.

“I told you I’d make it back, didn’t I babe?” he said smugly.

She couldn’t speak, it was just too much. She let her actions speak for her instead. Rainbow lunged into Arrowhead’s chest and buried her face into his burly pecs, her hooves clutching him tightly. He laughed softly at her boldness. He warmly returned the hug, nuzzling her neck soothingly. Rainbow looked to him with tear soaked eyes. Words could not express how infinitely grateful she was to see her beloved Earth pony detective again.

“I thought…I thought I’d lost you,” she whispered fearfully.

“Come on now. You should’ve known better, there was no way I was going to miss seeing you beat the stuffing out of a Skolopendra,” he jested teasingly.

She laughed softly. It felt good to hear his laugh again, to hear his voice and feel that warmth he stirred in her so easily. Her face wrinkled in slight horror upon seeing a lengthy red scar across his left eye. The scar started at his eyebrow and marked all the way down to his cheek. Thankfully, his eye was not damaged and the mark was purely cosmetic. Rainbow gently stroked the glaring wound, eyes softening with empathy.

“Did that thing do this to you?”

“He caught me off guard, that’s all; nothing more than a scratch. Lucky for me, the blow knocked me out and fooled the bad guys into thinking I was dead. After Mr. Pinchy and that cackling dingbat made tracks, I headed on over here as fast as I could without being detected,” he explained.

The Skolopendra throttled wildly against the gaping hole in the school’s structure. It eventually wormed its way back onto its feet and readied itself for another round. Even with the crack in the creature’s armor, the Skolopendra refused to go down without a fight.

“Much as I totally want to keep talking to you, we’ve got a major creepy crawly that needs squashing. I've tried everything I can think of but nothing worked. Any ideas?” she inquired.

“The sonic rainboom, it’s the only way. We need one big enough to put this thing down for the count. I’ll hold him off until you hit him with your best shot,” he schemed. Rainbow was already about to object. After nearly dying from his last scuffle with the Skolopendra, the last thing she wanted to do was leave him on his own. He smirked and patted her back comfortingly. “I already know what you’re going to say, but you don’t need to worry. All I’m doing is holding his butt in place; you’re the one who’s going to be kicking it. I’ll be careful I promise,” he assured her.

“Okay…but you and I need to have a long talk when this is all over,” Rainbow bargained. Arrowhead nodded approvingly. She flapped her wings and hovered just above the grey colt, eyes never leaving his scarred face. “By the way, as cool as the scar looks, don’t go letting that awesome face of yours get anymore scratched up,” she said with a coy wink. Rainbow shot into the air, flying high until completely vanishing from Arrowhead’s sight. The higher she flies the more powerful the rainboom will be. She only has one shot to do this and with little time to do so, she has to make sure she does it right or else she WILL lose Arrowhead for good.

The colorful mare reached the highest height she could manage. She stared blankly at the sea of clouds blocking Ponyville and Arrowhead from her towering view. She plummeted to the ground, velocity and atmosphere rising rapidly around her cyan body. A colorful shell of building energy surrounded her as she dropped closer and closer to the ground. The mangled school finally came back into view. Rainbow spotted Arrowhead locking hooves/claws with the Skolopendra. He was holding the monster in place. The Skolopendra was trapped, unable to break free from Arrowhead’s muscular grip. The expanding rainbow aura was about to detonate.

“Here’s mud in your eye,” the colt grunted. He kicked a clump of dirt and grass into the monster’s face; temporarily blinding it. Arrowhead leapt away from the beast. He dropped to the ground and clutched his hooves over his head, “LET HIM HAVE IT!” he shouted.

KABOOM!

The rainboom exploded in a blinding spectrum of vibrant colors. The wave blasted through the Skolopendra’s armored defenses easily thanks to the cracked back plate; effectively slicing the monster in two. Its sliced halves dropped to the ground with 2 shuddering thuds. The shockwave from the super charged rainboom continued to surge and spread across Ponyville. It hit the Ursa Minor Spike and Rarity were fighting; toppling the furry giant and knocking it unconscious. The dragon and unicorn were spared from the behemoth’s crushing foot thanks to the rainboom. The wave even spread to Sweet Apples Acres. The Hydra menacing Hopeful and Applejack was blasted unconscious by the colossal force of the rainbow energy as well. In one move, Rainbow had miraculously saved her friend’s lives AND stopped the monsters they were struggling with.

“Pardon me for stealing your catchphrase but: That. Was. Awesome!” Arrowhead proudly cheered. He laughed joyfully as Rainbow descended down beside the stacked Earth pony. “I think they’ll be feeling that on the other side of the planet,” he joked.

“Hey don’t give me all the credit; it was your smarty pants idea to use a sonic rainboom. I was just happy I got a chance to kick some major tail. Couldn’t have done it without you big guy,” she teased.

“I got a few good licks in; nothing big. It’s clear from that bug’s busted up face that you were doing just fine without me,” he casually remarked.

Rainbow was used to praise, she’s been getting it all her life from her parents, Scootaloo and of course her friends. She could always count on some pony idolizing her like a hero. But at that very moment, Arrowhead’s praise felt hollow and meaningless. There was only one thing that mattered to her at this moment…and he was standing right in front of her.

She boldly lurched forward, her lips passionately kissing Arrowhead’s. He felt his world freeze the instant that sparkling feeling tingled across his lips. Rainbow gently backed away. Her eyes looked delicate, loving; it was a look he hadn’t seen in a long time. Not even her closest friends had seen her vulnerable like this before.

“No…I wasn’t and I haven’t been. I haven’t been the same pony since we fell apart,” she said brokenly.

“Babe, come on, you don’t need to-”

“I know we don’t have time to do this. I know Twilight and the others are in serious trouble, I know we got that Khan wacko to deal with but I HAVE to do this. Please…I need to know where we stand now,” she pleaded desperately. Arrowhead tried to speak but she insisted she had to get this off her chest first. She stroked his wounded face, eliciting a hot blush from his cheeks. “I may have wings but I haven’t felt like I could fly since you’ve been gone. And when I saw your fur on that thing’s claws, I just-”

CLICK!

All of the sudden, her words stopped cold. The mare’s ears twitched reactively. There was a strange clicking sound coming from behind Arrowhead. It was a sound she had heard before. She curiously peeked over his shoulder. Her eyes widened in horror.

It was the Skolopendra, it was still alive!

The monster can apparently survive being cleaved in half, just like a worm. The top half of the creature had snuck up behind Arrowhead; silently crawling on its lower row of crab claws in place of its missing tiny legs. The Skolopendra raised its upper row of crab claws in a stabbing motion above Arrowhead. The colt was oblivious to what was going on.

“No…LOOK OUT!” she hollered; panicking.

Rainbow Dash shoved the stallion out of the way. He looked to her in bewilderment; only able to see what was happening when it was far too late to do anything about it. The Skolopendra lunged forward.

SHINK!

The Skolopendra impaled Rainbow Dash with its twin claws. The colorful mare’s eyes bulged. She attempted to cry out but it only came out as a garbled cough; garbled by blood. She felt a chilling breeze rustling through her chest and blowing out against her wings. Rainbow’s eyes stared longingly at Arrowhead before slowly closing; possibly forever. The Pegasus hung limply against the claws like a kabob.

Arrowhead screamed so loud he felt like his lungs would burst. He couldn’t hear it though, every sense in his body had gone numb the instant he saw Rainbow’s eyes close. The Skolopendra tossed her bloodied form to the ground; discarding her like trash. The snapping creature looked at Arrowhead and laughed.

The colt felt his muscles tense, veins bulging along his legs, neck and eyes. He stared down the monster with a soul crushing intensity that would make the devil cringe. “You unholy son of a…” he snarled.

Skolopendra leapt to attack Arrowhead once more, its blood stained claws gleaming ghoulishly. Arrowhead followed suite. He slugged the monster right between the eyes; knocking its cleaved form to the ground. The Earth pony leapt onto the fallen beast and hammered his hooves mercilessly into the crustacean’s crinkling form. He didn’t know if his hitting was causing any significant damage; all he knew was that he had to keep on hitting until there was nothing left. Chunks of fractured shell pieces fluttered over the grass with each bone crushing blow the colt dealt.

“I’LL KILL YOU, I’LL KILL YOU, I. WILL. KILL. YOU!” he screamed.

The monster writhed like a turtle on its back. It couldn’t move or fight back, it was helpless and being brutally smashed to pieces. The Skolopendra could only shriek and thrash wildly. Arrowhead grabbed the monster’s remaining nostril hair, lifted its body off the ground and proceeded to spin it around and around. Arrowhead spun the monster so fast its body became a sightless orange blur. He released the beast once enough momentum had been obtained; launching the monster into the skies and vanishing completely from view. He grunted gruffly as he grabbed the monster’s lifeless lower half and hurled that into the heavens as well.

Arrowhead zoomed towards Rainbow. He gently cradled her red soaked form in his burly arms and bolted towards the hospital; running faster than ever. “Please be all right, please be all right, please be all right,” he mumbled repeatedly.

Rainbow shivered violently. Her breath was slowing down and becoming shallow. Her limbs twitched erratically; her body felt colder with each passing minute.

“Please…don’t die on me,” he whimpered silently.

Once he got Rainbow to the hospital, Arrowhead would make a break for the Foal Mountains. He knew that Khan was there and what Rainbow said lead him to believe her other friends would be regrouping there as well. That’s where the last stand would be. Deep down, he just hoped it would be Khan’s last stand…and not theirs.

“I just hope the others are in better shape than you babe. We’re going to need all the help we can get,” he grimly affirmed.



Moonstruck groaned miserably. He sat comfortably in a marron colored chair with gold trim, the walls of the library surrounding him; imprisoning him. It was a beautifully crafted prison littered with books to keep him busy for hours, but it was still a prison and he lacked even a fragment of a desire to read. Twilight Sparkle would have felt comfortable waiting here.

Twilight…

She was expectedly on his mind. After all, she was out there putting her life and her friend’s lives on the line while he sits here; rotting of boredom and book dust. He lazily levitated another collection of books to his side. The colt sighed heavily as he brought the first book to his dully lit eyes.

“They say to never judge a book by its cover, but screw it; I’m just going to say your boring,” he replied sourly. He tossed the book aside and levitated the next one. “Boring,” he tossed that book as well, “boring,” another toss, “read it,” another toss, “read it,” another toss, “don’t want to read it,” another toss. “Whoa wait a minute, this could be exactly what I was looking for,” he said dramatically. The stallion stared longingly at the leather bound book hovering before him. “Oh yeah, that’s right, it’s not what I’m looking for because it’s just ANOTHER STUPID FRIGGING BOOK!” he howled.

Moonstruck violently chucked the book against the wall. It crashed into a shelf; inadvertently cracking one of the rows and causing it to collapse and spill all of the books it housed to fall. He groaned and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

“I think Crackers’ head would explode if she saw this. Better start cleaning up before someone thinks I’m wrecking the place on purpose,” he grumbled.

The purple pony magically repaired the shelf. He hadn’t used his magic in a long while, storing his reserves to use during a great battle if it came up. But since he promised Twilight he wasn’t going to get involved he might as well use it to fix little things like this shelf. He was nearly finished restacking the books until he came across one that caught his eye. It was a royal blue book with a gold seal on it; the book was withered and shown clear signs of wear and tear and even some burn marks.

“This was the book Twilight found that mentioned the Horn and Wing Society,” he hollowly sighed.

He remembered how angry he reacted when she found it. It was such a terrible way to treat a friend who was trying to help him. Originally, he was excited when Twilight first found out about the society. He thought for sure it would give him some answers about his past and maybe explain how he got this way. Unfortunately, it did. Over time, he gradually remembered that he was a part of the society; though he didn’t remember to what extent exactly until his conversation with Princess Luna.

Twilight is brilliant, smart enough to crack any puzzle given to her, which means it would have only been a matter of time until she found out about his connection to the society…and that he killed everyone in it…including his parents.

“Now she’s out there fighting a horde of monsters and I’m stuck in here; powerless to help. I just wish I had told her everything before she had gone. If something happens to her…”

He shook his head; snarling in frustration.

“Ugh, what am I supposed to do here?!? I know I’ve still got this stupid hex, but maybe I could’ve done something, anything to help! I can’t just sit here waiting to hear if she died or not.”

Truer words have never been spoken. About time you stopped whining like a foal and started making some sense man.

“What exactly are you saying, Brain?”

Princess Book butt is in serious trouble. What better way to get into her cuckoo-crazy pants then running after her; saving the day, beating the bad guy and living happily ever after and all that romantic crap?

“Saving her is a given, but what makes you think she won’t give us the boot once she finds out what kind of a real monster I am? Guys like me don’t get the girl, we get maced and a restraining order.”

It’s not like she’s snuggled with enough guys to compare and contrast, you know? Besides, she’s totally nuts and you’re a legitimate wacko. You’re a match made in an asylum!

“Gee thanks…that makes me feel so much better…”

Look, all perviness aside, you’re going to lose even more screws than you already have if you don’t bust out of here and help Princess Crackers. Trust me, I know.

“But I promised her I wouldn’t go, I swore it.”

Better to have her be alive and pissed at you than trusting you and ending up dead. You owe this girl everything; it’s time to start giving her everything. Deep down, we both know this is something you gotta do.

Moonstruck almost laughed. This was by far the craziest thing that had ever happened to him. Not being imprisoned, meeting Pinkie Pie or being chased by a diminutive dragon with a frying pan, no; being told by his pervert brain voice in his head to do the right thing easily topped them all.

“Never thought I’d say this brain…but you’re right, thanks,” he said sincerely.

The purple colt ran towards the nearest exit and quickly made his way out of the castle. He rushed towards Foal mountains; already spotting the firework display coming from Celestia and Khan’s battle. As the castle started to vanish behind his rearview, the colt started to roar with maddening laughter.

“Oh ho-ho-ho-ho I am going to be in SO much trouble,” he chuckled.



To be continued…