//------------------------------// // Group Up! // Story: It's a brutal world mate... // by shattered_sky //------------------------------// Dusk groaned as he came too. He was out for three weeks and he took another one off. He was still sore in places but he was feeling anxious, he took that as a sign that he was ready to work again. Derpy was perfectly fine with not working for a while longer, she and Trixie did receive a stipend from King Sombra. After all she haven’t recovered yet anyways. Trixie was quite vocal in her protests. “No! You are not, going!” She stomped her hoof to emphasize. “I’m completely fine-“ “I know you’re not! You’re still hurting. I can clearly see your limp and you wince every once in a while.” Dusk muttered to himself while walking away, he winced and put a hoof to his side. “See! You keep doing that!” She pointed out in exasperation. Dusk looked both ways and shrugged. “Yes, he clearly has brain damage.” Derpy piped up. She was perched near one of the windows, reading a book. “And you’re supposed to know better!” Trixie yelled. “You’re supposed to be in bed.” She tiredly pointed out. “Bed rest for a least a month. And I’m supposed to avoid any strenuous activity for at least four months.” She recited. “So you’re not supposed to be flying.” “I didn’t. Dusk lifted me.” She easily replied. Trixie flashed her horn and teleported Derpy unto a sofa. She blinked then stared flat-eyed at Trixie. “That was rude.” She complained. “I’ll buy a potion then I’ll be good to go.” Dusk offered. “I don’t know much about Alicorn Physiology but you are NOT fine. You’ve drank four health potions-“ “Three actually.” “Patched up two times in the same day while you were still recovering from your last fight. You are immortal not unkillable. What do I have to say in order to get that into your thick skull?” She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I think those are the same things Trixie.” Dusk deadpanned. He raised a hoof before Trixie could continue her rant. “Look, I get it. I’m going to be more careful from now on.” Derpy’s eyebrows climbed and Trixie let out a sigh of relief. “Really?” Trixie asked hopefully. “I doubt it.” Derpy scoffed and she returned to her book. “I mean it… I guess what’s been happening to me has been a real eye opener.” He explained. “Why stab ponies with swords if I can shoot them a mile away?” Trixie facehooved with a resounding smack. “It is… a logical approach I suppose.” Derpy carefully agreed. “And a step in the right direction.” She added as she glanced at Trixie. Trixie looked at Derpy for help but she simply turned around. Dusk gave a reassuring smile. She sighed in defeat. “I can’t stop you from going I guess. But please, PLEASE be careful.” She begged. “Do it for me at least, if not for yourself?” Dusk blinked. “Of course. I enjoy living. Plus I gotta set up that outing I promised, dead ponies can’t do that I guess. Bye!” And with that he gave a salute and teleported out. They both stared at where he had been for a time. Derpy set aside her book and sat straight. “We need to tell the King, It’s about time. I’m beginning to worry for his own safety. “ “I did…” Trixie looked down as she whispered. Derpy blinked. “When?” “Last week.” She replied. She rubbed her shoulder and sat down beside Derpy. “He told me to keep him updated on what he does. And he wants me to determine if he has malicious intent or if he’s dangerous.” “He is. Very dangerous. He’s not using his magic properly. But with proper training…” She let that sentence hang in the air for a while, and all of its implications. “As for intent he’s not even sure where he stands. He’s not outright malicious, but he always tries to get even, good or evil.” Derpy voiced her opinion. “He’s chaotic good at best, chaotic neutral at worst.” Derpy continued. “He’s almost a colt.” Trixie snorted at that. “He usually means well but he doesn’t take insults lightly. He’s quite immature and hard to like actually.” Trixie shook her head. “But I guess he’s grown on me. He doesn’t make sense half of the time and the other half he make me smile." ******* Dusk left a bag of bits at the clinic, and grabbed a few potions. To his surprise he was dragged back in by the lavender mare. Apparently the price quadrupled since the last time he checked. Then again it was to be expected, before they could get herbs from the forest. Now it was too dangerous and hardly worth the trip. He had to find ponies to team up with, he knew if he faced the Ideals in his current state he would be easy picking. The potion eased his pain but he felt something was wrong with his body. Still he wouldn’t be confined to a bed any longer, he was itching to get out there. Too bad most ponies did not share the sentiment. “Go? With you? No thanks, you’re trouble and I want to stay as far away as possible.” Octavia snapped. “C’mon Tavi, we can make good bits. You-“ “Don’t. Call. Me Tavi.” She growled. Dusked raised his hooves and backed away with a smile. “Go away!” Octavia shrieked. Dusk turned to Vinyl but she merely smiled apologetically and shook her head. Dusk went over to Thunderlane. He was no longer wrapped up and was chatting with Rarity. The mare was complaining about his vest and headband, and was offering to make him a new pair. For a price. Thunderlane was going to accept until she brought that up. Dusk coughed into his hoof and asked them if they would join him. “Sorry man. I’m still recovering, I’d just hold you back ya know?” Thunderlane sighed. “I’d wish I could… Maybe next time.” “Sorry darling. I’d normally agree. However you seem a bit too… destructive.” She took a sip of her whiskey. “And considering this guild’s standards it’s quite impressive. Apologies, I believe for my own safety I should stay away from you.” And she was trying to be delicate. “Overwhelming firepower! Who wouldn’t want that?” Dusk thumped his chest as he proudly declared. “And I wouldn’t want to be in the vicinity. Much less granted a backstage pass.” She dryly replied. “Fair enough.” Dusk allowed. And he was sure Pound would leap to an opportunity. “Nuh-uh! You stole our glory!” He complained. “Our glory?” “Yeah! Everypony is going on about how YOU defeated the Minotaur.” Pound jabbed him in the chest. “Me and sis took him down!” “Yeah. But he got up, and I cut his head off.” “Well we beat him up real good. It wouldn’t be that hard.” Pound crossed his hooves. “Actually his team healed him. So I killed him at full strength.” This argument went back and forth with neither backing down. Pumpkin intervened before Dusk could punt him like a ball. Pumpkin offered to split the reward the Diane and the three of them. Dusk and Pound were stuck on who should take credit for the kill. Their argument was cut short by Pinkie- not Diane apparently – popping between them. “Does it matter who done it? Or didn’t? What matters is that you all worked together!” She concluded happily. Dusk took a closer look at her, her mane and coat were lighter and her mane was poofy. She also wore a barmaid’s outfit. Pinkie gasped and grabbed Dusk by the cheeks. “Omygoshomygoshomyogsh!” She squealed. “You must be Dusk Shine! My friends say mean things about you, but Trixie wouldn’t befriend a meanie right? And Isaac likes you too, and he’s really nice! In fact we were going to bake treats for the entire guild!” She let go of Dusk and confetti burst all around as she threw her hooves up. The entire guild processed that before erupting into cheers. The bartender grabbed a broom and sighed. Dusk gathered his bearing for a moment. “Great.” Dusk licked his lips in the anticipation of cupcakes. “Well nice meeting you Pinkie. But I’m looking for Knives and Isaac, have you seen them? I need some companions for a quest.” “Well... They went to Manehattan for ingredients.” Pinkie put a hoof to her cheek as she recalled things. Dusk let out a sigh. “Oh! Oh oh oh oh! Pick me, Pick me!” Pinkie bounced up and down raising a hoof up. “What?” “I’m a tank support! I have high HP stat and you’re a battle mage! So I can frontline!” She happily explained. She pulled out a lute from her mane. “My primary role is Guardian but my secondary is Bard!” She then proceeded to play the lute, Dusk would say that his eardrums were bleeding. Pinkie stuck her tongue out as she tuned it. “Uhhh… Pinkie I don’t think music would help me fight.” Dusk commented. He ignored that she was talking as if they were in a RPG, he didn’t need any more migraines. “Because you’re not feeling it silly!” She booped him on the nose. “Since we’re talking about classes. I have a cooking perk too!” She pulled a box from somewhere, she opened it to reveal cupcakes. “It’s been a while since I made some but I made them extra special!” Dusk cautiously lifted one of the green cupcakes. Thunderlane walked over and tossed one into his mouth. Flitter was going to take the whole box but Thunderlane poked her in the snout. She smiled sheepishly and grabbed one, so did the twins. Dusk felt warm all over and his pains ceased. Pumpkin and Pound wer gushig about how good it tasted. Dusk was about to get a word in Pinkie shoved a hoof into his mouth. “Your right Dusky! I should do my best to make everypony here smile! Or else my name is not Pinkamina Diane Pie! Adventures can wait, c’mon Cakes we ha work to do! Let’s get baking!” She declared as she dashed off with the twins in tow. Dusk blinked, and decided not to question it. He couldn’t help but smile however. “Wow medicine never tasted that good! Hey Dusk, what job do you have in mind? I’m game! Thunderlane flew over and did a few loops to prove his point. “Thunderlane… You shouldn’t be flying so soon.” Flitter chided as she trotted over. “Hey, I was a reverse popsicle. And now I feel great!” Dusk declared. His eyes then narrowed and he snorted angrily. “I’m going to get that cat…” He muttered. “A reverse popsicle?” Flitter asked. Dusk thought about it for a moment. “I have no idea what I just said means.” Thunderlane shuddered. “Dude, not cool. Now I’m thinking about it. How did you even survive that anyways?” “Actually it was very cool, freezing actually.” Dusk smirked at Thunderlane’s disappointed expression. Flitter was drooling. “Mmmmm. Popsicles, I’d do anything for chocolate flavored.” She then stared at Dusk. “What flavor were you?” She asked. She immediately realized how that sounded, she turned red and was flailing her hooves around. “I-I didn’t mean it like that!” “You just hear about sweets and you tune out everything else.” Thunderlane sighed and shook his head. “Here’s an idea, Thunder. Invite her to your house, dip your wang in chocolate, then lay on your couch.” Dusk suggested. “GG.” “Chocolate sounds soooo good right now.” Thunderlane processed this for a bit. “What do you mean?” He finally asked in irritation. Dusk shoved his hoof in and out of his mouth. Thunderlane turned red and pulled out his baseball bat. “I’m going to kill you!” He roared. Dusk was laughing madly, fending off the stallion with his hooves. “I guarantee you, it’ll work!” “Shut up! It’s not like that.” “What about Hooves and Hearts day? It was pretty obvious you-“ Dusk was cut off by a swing to the head. “Those were friendly chocolates!” “Bullshit!” “Yeah? But you gave ponies heart shaped donuts!” “They were cheap! Plus I got a cake for me and the girls.” Dusk was knocked into a table and he thought about it. “Huh. Friendly gifts do exist. However I’m sure that Flitter is your-“ Another strike to the head. Flitter just stared at the stallions in confusion. “I don’t get it.” Flitter admitted. “Never mind that do you have a job in mind Dusk?” Dusk was attempting to strangle Thunderlane with the bat, Thunderlane flipped him into a table. Dusk groaned before continuing to laugh. “Huh, I was just looking to tag along actually. So no.” He replied as he lay there. Flitter walked over to the request board. Thunderlane moved to follow. “Choco. Banana.” Dusk whispered, this was rewarded by the baseball bat being flung into his face. Flitter squinted as she looked through the requests. “How about this one? Hunting a Rouge Tomato.” She announced, pulling off the paper and showing it to Thunderlane. A sketch of a creature with a Tomato like head with fangs and a striped clothing over its plant like body. “Three hundred bits guys!” She excitedly announced. Thunderlane thought about it. “Isn’t that a member of the Deadly Nightshade family? It’s too dangerous.” He declined. “C’mon. It’s a Rogue, it’s not as powerful as it should be.” Dusk couldn’t believe other creatures like that existed. First a Pokémon now this. The two pegasi stared at him at shock. “How do you know that Dusk?” Flitter asked. “Well how does Thunder know something about it?” “I used to be a Gold rank, you don’t last long without research. There’s literally a library in this town. You live there.” Thunderlane titled his head. “I guess that explains why you know that tidbit, I just skimmed the book over.” He rubbed the back of his head. “Well Dusk is right, so this job should be easy pickings between the three of us. Lately it’s been attacking caravans near Dog Song-“ Dog Song was a city of Diamond Dogs located west of the Everfree. Caravans from Dog Song carried high quality metals and gemstones, other traders came to the city to provide all sorts of goods and few shipments have been lost here and there. Dusk frowned disapprovingly as Flitter asked ‘what could go wrong’. He then knocked Thunderlane out with the bat. ******* Dusk rested against a rock, keeping himself under the shade. The two Pegasi searched for the target. The warm rocky surface was actually hot enough to cook an egg, Dusk literally tried it, bringing a little oil and some eggs after being told about the area. “Who’s laughing now, I got myself a sandwich!” He grinned triumphantly. Dusk looked around and he saw a few wolves and moving humanoid cacti. A few wolves eyed him, around five of them surrounding him. He swallowed, he still hadn’t gotten over his first quest. He fired a shot and the wolves backed away slightly. Seeing that was taken care off he hummed to himself as he cut a bun in half. He made a sandwich and set it aside. As he finished his sandwich he felt something tap him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw nothing, he summoned his riffle and looked around. He heard a ‘woosh’ and he found his sandwich was on fire. Dusk slowly turned back and found himself staring at the little hellion he was supposed to exterminate, Wordlessly he raised riffle and took aim. The Rogue Tomato ran for it, moving erratically. Dusk tried to aim at it and get a good shot, but every time he fired it managed to dodge. The Rogue Tomato whistled and the wolves advanced on him. “No… Bad doggies.” He scolded. They growled and jumped him. Alas, non-magical wolves fell to him quickly. A combination of lightning and his gun. As he prepared to give chase he heard an explosion. As he rushed to it he saw Flitter, smoking and trying to get her head out of the ground. Dusk pulled her out using her magic. She thanked him and turned to smile at him, which was a little unsettling because sand was pouring out of her mouth. Dusk saw the creature running away. He teleported in front of it and slashed one of its arms off. It retaliated by head-butting Dusk, Dusk wasn’t fazed in the slightest and the Rogue Tomato fell down. Dusk gave a creepy laugh as he brandished the sword, the Rogue Tomato was sweating beads. “What should go with my sandwich… SOUP!” Dusk declared. “I object!” Flitter interrupted. “Have you ever wondered what Tomato ice cream tastes like?” She blurted out. Dusk blinked. “You’re adorable. No wonder why Thunder likes you so much…” Dusk remarked. Flitter blinked in confusion. “We’ve been friends for years. Why wouldn’t he like me?” She asked with a tilt of her head. Dusk stared at her for a while. “Damned adorable ponies…” He muttered under his breath. “Hey! It’s escaping!” She yelled. Dusk turned to see the Rogue Tomato jump off a cliff. Dusk grabbed it using his magic and the creature paled. “Oh you little s-“ Dusk paused as he felt the earth shake, soon after Thunderlane’s screaming could be heard and he barreled into the three of them. Flitter recovered first and grabbed the both of them, her wings beating hard to keep them afloat. She gritted her teeth as she slowly descended. She managed to deposit the both of them on the ground and was panting heavily from the exertion. Dusk recovered next and angrily shook Thunderlane. “I swear to god! I’m going to-“ Dusk’s rant was cut off by a roar. Dusk released the dazed pony and sighed. “Interrupt me one more time… Whatever you are I’m going to murder you!” Dusk yelled as he summoned several swords. The ground shook harder, the ponies bouncing up and down. A green dinosaur that resembled a T-Rex. “Okay none of this makes sense! Why is there a dinosaur in the middle of the desert?” Dusk’s swords disappeared and his horn glowed in a blinding light. Dusk fired a giant beam that vaporized the dinosaurs head. Dusk fell to the ground and flailed. He wheezed and his horn was smoking, both him and the dinosaur fell over, twitching. “Dear Faust are you okay Dusk?” Flitter crouched and poked the stallion. Dusk let out a high pitched whine as he flailed around. “I think so?” Thunderlane got up and stared at the massive beast. “I wish I was back in Manehattan. Life was simpler.” He muttered. He lay on the ground and stared at the cliff. “Are we forgetting something?” Flitter asked Thunderlane. They all sat in silence for a while. Dusk and Thunderlane shot up. “The Mark!” Thunderlane exclaimed. Dusk rubbed his head and disappeared in a flash. From a distance Dusk could be seen slashing away at the creature. A few minutes later Dusk ported back with the mark in tow, panting and covered in Tomato juice apparently. Thunderlane eyed Dusk nervously. “Remind me not to piss you off.” Flitter however looked at Dusk curiously. “So… I’m wondering. Does it taste like Tomato Juice?” She asked. Thunderlane looked at her in a mixture of disgust and disbelief. Dusk frowned thoughtfully and after a moment of hesitation licked his blade. Thunderlane retched and turned away. Dusk’s muzzle scrunched up. “Sour… Tomato Juice.” Dusk complained. “Dude… why?” Thunderlane shuddered. “You must be the straight pony Thunder.” Thunderlane was looking squeamish. “Somepony has to be!” He countered defensively. “Now let’s head back to the city, to get our reward. I’m done for today. Just bucking done.” And the stallion looked like it too, his enthusiasm was gone and replaced the tired look in his eyes. Dusk clutched his head as a migraine wracked him. Flitter held his head and looked at him in concern. “Are you okay?” He shook his head. “It hurts…” Thunderlane put a hoof on his shoulder. “Lay off the powerful magic for a while. Me and Flitter can fly you around.” Thunderlane sighed. “The sooner we get this over with the better.” He added. Thunderlane led Dusk towards Dogsong while Flitter lingered for a bit longer. A crow perched on a rock not far from them. She scowled and beat her wings, her chest and mouth glowed. A fireball shot out and incinerated the bird. She coughed as smoke poured out of her mouth. Thunderlane turned back. “You okay there? We’re heading out soon.” “Yeah! Just a little sand in my mouth.” She cheerfully answered. Thunderlane muttered something about stupid plant monsters and sand. Flitter’s scowl returned as she looked around, everything around her darkened for a moment, shadows creeping on the edges of her eyes despite being under the harsh light. “The crows peer through the soul.” She whispered. ******* Ghost was quite uncomfortable. It was one thing to break people with memes. Another entirely with lightning, water, and that weird headgear with screws. He shuddered, it was barbaric by his standards. And then she started speaking in some long lost language in monotone. The sick bastard in charge called it ‘factory settings’. Ghost felt the obsidian walls of the building shake. Alistar did not take his return and the loss of his horns lightly it seemed. The blows echoing far into the fortress Ghost’s steps on the cobblestone floor. Ghost could hear whispers in the back of his head, shadows dark yet darker could his vision and all sorts of malformed shadows surround him. Ghost glowed faintly, the only illumination in these ancient halls. Eyes stared him, far into the darkness where he came and where he was going. His walk seemed endless to him, for it actually was because he wandered aimlessly. To those of Eternity they could only find what they seek. So he decided to look for Flash. The orange pony stared in shock as they crossed paths. Ghost wasn’t used to seeing Flash without his armor. With his recent resurrection his coat was pale and stitches adorned his muscular but lean frame, his mane was shaved off completely. His eyes seemed to be covered by a milky film dotted with stars. Eyes of someone whom has been from beyond and back. “Hey mah boi!” Ghost pointed at the resurrected Pegasus. Flash Sentry merely regarded him with an unreadable expression. The whispering was the only noise Ghost heard and it was unnerving him. That and his normally noisy companion was like this. “Hey Flash, you okay there?” Ghost nervously asked. “No.” He flatly replied. “Being dead… was an unspeakable experience.” He slowly replied. “Do you hear something, weird?” Ghost carefully asked. Flash Sentry shuddered for a moment. “They’re whispering to me. I’m not going back again.” He looked at Ghost with a haunted expression. Ghost didn’t feel relief that he wasn’t the only one seeing or hearing things. “After I kill that mare, I’m going on a vacation.” “Wait we killed her!” Ghost argued. “No one survives those kinds of wounds! Right?” At Flash’s continued silence he gulped. “How do you know for sure?” He asked desperately, laughing a bit. Flash Sentry shook his head. “You don’t know who she is.” He paused and held his head for a bit. “I didn’t know who she was… She didn’t even fight us properly. But I’m going to slay that traitor.” At this statement Ghost’s jaw literally dropped to the floor. Picking it up his eye twitched and he alternated between hysterical laughter and sputtering. “I’m not joking. But enough of this, we have our next assignment.” He firmly added as he walked down the hall. Eventually they came to the door they were looking for. Ghost hesitated, it looked different than all of the other imposing iron doors. What unnerved him was that it was a pink door with a poorly drawn welcome sign in red crayon. Ghost wasn’t sure why it unnerved him so. Flash lifted a hoof and knocked thrice. Eventually a young female voice answered. “Come in Flashy!” It cheerfully invited. Ghost was dumbfounded by the sight they came into. Their superior, the Greater Ideal Grisha on a cloud carpet. The old griffon was black with graying feathers here and there, for a moment his eyes were as black as the void as he regarded the two. He wore a simple black cloak. He idly wiped blood from his eyes and sighed. What really stupefied Ghost was Doll. She looked like porcelain doll, the size of a filly with rubies for eyes and a curly blond mane. She smiled as she made the griffon a crown out of raven skulls and red roses, which she promptly threw away and placed a pink tiara on his head. Ghost wanted to vomit at the sight of everything being bright and colorful, pink walls and various stuffed animals. “Hmmm… I’d say that was a crown fit for a ruler.” Grisha spoke in a gravelly voice, he sighed in disappointment. “But I suppose you wonder how I would look.” He concluded. He traced a claw along the engravings. “You could be a pretty princess!” She exclaimed. “I suppose some prince would be quite disappointed to find out the truth.” He replied with a tinge of amusement. Ghost looked at the two, clutched his head and sat down in a tiny stool. “Now you know how it feels Ghost. I expect you not to traumatize our comrades in the future.” Flash Sentry stared at his superior in disbelief. “Sir. Did you go through this… mockery just to spite Ghost?” He asked. “Hey!” “No. I merely seceded to humor her.” He replied. Ghost made a confused noise before sinking into the ground. “Do brief him later Flash Sentry” He glanced at where the Gengar disappeared. “You Ghost, Doll and Edith have an important task.” The old griffon paused as blood trickled down his face. Flash Sentry was alarmed. “Sir-“ “I’m aware. Ponies are messing with my eyes these days.” He explained. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black crystal. “So impatient. You may taste freedom soon.” He addressed it. The crystal pulsed in response. “Whatever you do, do NOT touch it directly. I cannot stress this enough.” He wrapped it up and a white cloth. “Ghost is already knows who the recipient is.” Doll walked to Flash Sentry with a pair of pink saddle bags and placed them on his back. He ignored her. “Listen well my boy. We prepare for the reckoning. They will fall soon.”