Hunter jumped down off of Sorkeno’s nose and he looked back as he reached up to help Twilight down as well. She took his hoof and floated down with a gentle flap of her wings to land in front of him. The dragon raised his head to look down at them and his large eyes scanned around them as Hunter walked a few feet away from the golden dragon.
“If we need you I will call on you,” Hunter said to him, his voice held finality within it.
Sorkeno gave a silent nod and Twilight walked to join the stallion. Twilight joined him and he could see her trying to push the nervousness to the back of her mind as he sighed quietly. The Overlord said nothing as his horn lit and his own illusion slid over him and he looked to the mare with him as she did the same. The gray mare from before looked back at him as they had discussed before. They had agreed that using the same illusions was in their best interest in case Sunder had sent a letter about them ahead. Hunter was certain he had but he also would not have been shocked if he hadn’t.
“What's the plan?” Twilight asked him as they began to walk forward.
Hunter said nothing for several seconds as he thought over what to tell her. “We will ask for the one that is selling the Chimera and show them the letter if needed.”
“What if he questions us about why we are there?”
“If I’m right then he might know we are coming already. If not then he might ask how we knew him and we can show him the letter I received.” He replied as his magic pulled the letter from his pocket magic and then back into it. “With that out of the way we can move forward and start to question him about five years ago.”
“So I’m your assistant and I should let you do the talking again?” She said to him with a smile.
“Exactly,” Hunter replied with a small smile. “Hopefully we can narrow down who it was that sold it and what they knew about the purpose behind its purchase.”
“So we can find out if he knew that it was going to be used against your ponies…and you.”
Hunter nodded in reply and fell silent. Twilight stayed in step with him as they walked over the nearly flat surface. They had left Sorkeno a mile behind them to keep him from being spotted. The terrain was slightly flat but with hills spaced out between them. Hunter could feel anticipation starting to build within him at the prospect of finding answers. He had been searching for the answers to his questions for years but he had not had a track to follow until they had captured Top Quote. With his arrest, they had been given the path he needed.
“Will this help you put what happened behind you?” Twilight suddenly asked him.
He looked at her from the corner of his eye and then looked ahead once more. “In some ways. I will not forgive. But the one who put it in motion is long dead. I suppose forgiveness is needed but I will not forgive them for what happened to my ponies. I didn’t find out about it until I was placed within it and only then did I find out how many had been placed in there to fight for their lives.”
“Did the Chimera kill them all?”
“No. They fell before the Chimera was put to use. They could not fight against the creatures that were loosed upon them. The Chimera's purpose was to fight me.”
“They kept it in the event that they got you in there?”
“Precisely. It was threatened to make them fight harder but never released. When they got me in there they released it in the hope that it would kill me.”
“You said that it seemed crazed when it came after you. Was it just from being cooped up so long or?”
“No. It had wounds as though it had been beaten into a frenzy before being released into the Arena.”
“That’s horrid.” She replied. “To do that to any creature is…reprehensible.”
“I agree.” He said to her. “But the fact that it was there at all is due to Top Quote opening his mouth about the Arena in the first place.”
“Was that always there or did they build it?”
Hunter was quiet as he thought back to the Empire. “It was there all along. It was there to allow ponies to fight each other in fair combat. Creatures were not normally used and it was treated as the height of noble society to watch the combatants within it.”
“Did your father ever go there?”
“He did a few times. Usually, it was to watch a championship match or something similar. That was before it was turned into what it was.”
“I can’t imagine it. I mean I can think of it but seeing it a way that is positive is hard to do since I know what happened in it.”
Hunter gave a short nod as she spoke. “I agree. I did not go to it after I took the kingdom back but I allowed it to go on. It was viewed as a rite of passage to some and a mark of honor to others to compete and win within its walls. I did not speak for or against it.”
“Until you had it destroyed.”
“Yes.”
“There it is,” Twilight whispered as the small compound loomed ahead of them.
Hunter nodded and they fell silent. He scanned the short walls ahead of them that acted as a funnel to lead visitors into the entrance. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary immediately but his eyes narrowed as the sight of shifted ground and earth made his nerves twinge. He recognized the sight of traps when he saw them and he glanced at Twilight to make sure she stayed at his side. She fell back a step to stay at his hip and he led her through the gates.
His eyes scanned the area as he drew to a halt at the sound of hooves. From the sound, he could tell that it was a foal due to the light hoof steps. A filly came running around a small fence and she slid to a stop at the sight of them. She blinked at them and a wide smile went over her muzzle. Her light blue fur sparkled in the sun and her green eyes glowed brightly as she began to walk toward them. She stopped a foot away from them and her head gave a gentle tilt.
“Hi.” She shrilled at them.
“Hello.” Twilight greeted gently.
Hunter said nothing for a second before he gave a slight smile. “Hello, little one. Can you take us to your family?”
“Sure. I’ll take you to daddy.” She smiled and turned to lead them into the compound. “I’m Petal.”
He looked over as Twilight smiled at the filly’s back. “I’m…Posey.” She replied.
Hunter had to give her points for the quick reply. He had not used any name for her in his letters so he applauded her quick thinking.
“That such a pretty name.” Petal replied and turned to face them as she walked backward. “And yours?”
Hunter gave a slight smile in reply. “Alie.”
“That’s pretty too.” She giggled as she turned back and faced forward.
He said nothing in reply and he heard Twilight snicker. She had asked him why he had chosen that name and he had told her to think about it for a moment and she had caught on quickly. She had laughed as he chuckled and she told him that he was cleverer than she gave him credit for. When said differently it meant that he was a lie. Though the way it was pronounced as if he was an ally. Gnarl had approved greatly of the play on words.
The filly led them deeper and she weaved between a house and an animal pen as a small group of sheep sounded out the alarm as they passed by. They walked past a large barn and Hunter fought back a tremble at the growl that sounded out. Twilight bumped into his hip to support him in silence as the memory of that growl came back to him. He would never forget it and his skin trembled under his armor. His illusion remained strong as they walked and Petal broke into a run as she began to laugh aloud.
“Daddy!” She called out.
A stallion in a leather trench coat turned to look at her, a smile crossing his face. “Hello, my sweet.” He opened his mouth to speak further to her as she neared him but he stopped at the sight of the pair behind her. “Who are your new friends?”
Petal jumped back from him and trotted back to them. “This is Posey.” She said as she pointed to Twilight who smiled in reply. “And this is Alie.” She said and pointed at Hunter.
“I see. And how can I help you two?” He asked as he composed himself.
Hunter looked at him from behind his illusion and the stallions pale red coat was nearly pink as he pushed his daughter back to be level with his shoulder. “I am here about a Chimera,” Hunter replied.
“Oh?” He replied and looked down at the filly. “Honey, why don’t you help your mom with her baking? She might need a taste tester.”
Petal smiled widely, glee in her eyes, and took off in a hurry in the other direction. The stallion watched her till she was out of sight and then he looked back at the pair of them. Hunter waited for him to speak further before he took a step forward.
“How did you know where to find this place?” He asked.
“You know who we are but we do not know you,” Hunter replied.
“Oh. Sorry where are my manners? I’m Creed.” He said with a bow of his head.
“We were told of you by an associate of yours, Sunder,” Hunter replied as his magic summoned the letter from his magic.
Creed came up to them and took the letter from him and his eyes scanned it for several seconds before he handed it back to them. “Okay, I see what happened. My father is still the leader of our family and he might have been the one that was told about your coming. I am sorry about that but I only recently took over the breeding of the Chimeras.”
Hunter gave a slight nod and the stallion gave the letter back to him. “I trust that you will not be going back on…”
“No of course not.” Creed interrupted and then covered his mouth with a slight cough. “Sorry about that. Umm. No, if you’ll follow me you can pick out the one you want. Are you after an older one or a younger one?”
“One in the middle might be better,” Hunter replied.
Creed nodded in understanding and he turned to lead them into the barn close by. Twilight hugged against his hip and he cast a glance back at her for a moment before he fell in behind the other stallion. Creed pushed open the wide barn doors and led them inside. Hunter looked to the side as a chimera looked up from its feed bin and regarded them closely. He heard a quiet gasp from behind him as Twilight hugged closer to him. He didn’t say anything to her and kept his gaze forward and he stayed close to the other stallion.
“These are the oldest we have. Most of them are proven to be good breeders so they are not for sale.” Creed informed them.
“Do you breed for ferocity or other traits?” Hunter questioned.
“Depends on the lineage. We have some that are fiercer than others and others that are bred to be gentle. For example, this one is pretty calm and gentle as far as Chimera’s go.”
Hunter looked to the right as a Chimera moved toward the door and hissed quietly at them. Hunter did not see the same intensity in her eyes as the Chimera he remembered. He did not lower his guard despite the look from her. She moved away from the door and back to her food as they moved forward.
“Now this one is from a line that has birthed some of our most fierce. If you’re looking for a fighter then his line is the right one to look into. What do you need?”
Hunter was quiet as he considered what to reply. He jerked as Twilight screamed as a chimera slammed against the door of a stall to the left. His eyes fell on the creature as it roared and Creed came up and pushed a lever that blocked out the stall's view and hid them from sight.
“Sorry about that.” He said and looked at the shaken mare.
“Sorry for yelling.” Twilight apologized, her voice quiet.
“It’s fine. If you’re not used to them their pretty scary.” Creed assured her.
Twilight lowered her head slightly and tried to appear smaller than she was. Creed took the front once more as Hunter watched the other chimeras for any sign of a threat from them. The others were quiet and seemed to have ignored the aggressive action of the other.
“I need intelligence.” He replied.
“Oh?” Creed replied and looked over his shoulder. “I can think of a few that are like that. But normally ponies don’t want a smart one since they tend to figure things out and…”
“Then their owner gets eaten?” Hunter replied, his voice even and confident.
Creed shrugged and then nodded with a resigned look on his face. “Unfortunately. We tend to keep the clever ones so that they don’t get into trouble and we end up with a bad reputation.”
“I can see where that would happen. Can’t make a living if your customers get eaten.” Hunter replied and Creed shuddered.
“Can I ask what you need one for?”
“Do you screen them?” Hunter asked, his tone clipped.
“No, of course not. We just like to know so we can see what the demand is for what kinds.”
“It will be hunted,” Hunter replied, his tone easy matter of fact.
Creed stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. Hunter waited to see what he would say now that Hunter had laid the first of many traps. If they screened the chimeras next owners then they were not the ones that had sold the last one. He didn’t see the uncertain look Twilight gave him as they stopped in the middle of the barn and Creed was still silent.
“I see,” Creed said to him. “And who will be hunting it?”
“A few friends that have requested something unique. They have asked for an event unlike any other and I have been told that some of them would view a hunt to be favorable to the boring conversation.” Hunter replied easily.
Creed nodded and began to move forward once more. Hunter fell in a few steps behind him and Twilight stayed close behind him. The pale stallion led them deeper into the barn and they came to a side path and Creed slid around the corner with them on his heels. Hunter could hear the sounds of growls and chirps as his ears flicked forward to listen closely.
“Do you need just one?” Creed asked.
“Yes. Two might be an issue to hunt down if they are possibly able to work together?”
“Most of them don’t get near each other unless they are breeding but now and then they band together. It might happen if they are from the same litter. So you would only want one then?”
“Just one,” Hunter affirmed. “I am curious about your history of sales if you will indulge me.”
“Sure. What do you need to know?”
“I had heard of a chimera in the Netherworld Empire a few years ago. Did it come from here?” Hunter asked his tone cautious.
“I took over the operation last year so you would need to ask my father about it. He sold them until recently.”
“I see. I would appreciate it.” Hunter replied.
They walked forward until Creed stopped and he breathed in a breath and turned to face them. “These are the ones in the age range that you wanted. If you’re looking for intelligence for a…hunt then you want either of these three.” He said as he pointed a hoof to three stalls.
Hunter looked at the three he had indicated and the three creatures looked at him from within their stalls. He approached the first and looked over his shoulder to the stallion and he looked uncertain for a moment before he walked up to stand close to the illusion Overlord.
“This one is a female who is about two years old. She has not been bred and is probably the more even-tempered of the three of them. The one next to her is a male that is also around two years old and is a bit feistier than the other two. The last one is also male and is the most likely to bite, unfortunately.” He informed them.
“I see,” Hunter replied and looked at the first two.
He had no intention of buying one but for now, he would allow them to think he was. Beside him, Twilight looked at the first chimera and the female looked back at them. Hunter could see the gaze that came from her was different than the other two. His skin trembled as she regarded him and he could sense the intelligence that came from her. It set his nerves on edge and instinct told him to back away slowly and flee from her gaze.
“This one.” He said and he could hear Creed sigh.
“Understood. Once we finish our arrangement we will move her where you wish for her to go. I wish you would keep her but I understand that once you buy her you can do whatever you want but I wish she didn’t have to be hunted.”
“I understand your viewpoint. But if I were to keep her what purpose would she serve?” Hunter asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Once you have their trust they can be very loyal and even loving in some ways.”
Hunter snorted and Twilight nudged his hip to keep him quiet. “How so?” He covered and waited for the other stallion to go on.
“For example, her mother is one that was raised here and she is gentle and very loving,” Creed informed them. “She has been a breeder with us for many years and her children have been some of our best.”
“I have no intention of getting close enough to find out how loving a chimera is. I have seen the damage they can inflict.” Hunter replied.
Creed grimaced and nodded. “I won’t lie and say they are not dangerous. But if you give her a chance maybe she could be a companion to you and…”
Hunter barked a laugh and fought back a growl of his own. “I think not.” He replied.
“Think about it. What better guardian then a Chimera that everypony fears?” Creed pushed.
Twilight came up to stand at his shoulder and he fought back against informing the breeder how he knew what they could do. He breathed in a breath and nodded.
“While that might be true. This one’s fate has been decided. Unless you wish to deny a sale?”
His eyes went wide and he slowly shook his head. “No. Ultimately you choose what to do with her. Come one. You wanted to meet my father about our history right?”
“Lead on,” Hunter said with a leading gesture.
He fell in behind the other stallion once more and Twilight fell back to his hip. He glanced over his shoulder to the chimera and she watched them leave her behind. Hunter looked ahead as they moved through the compound and reached a house that stood near the center of the compound. Creed bade them stop at the base of the stairs and Hunter looked up at the house as it reached out above him. The two-story house loomed above them with its colonial style, Twilight gave a light whistle at the sight of it. Creed vanished inside of it as he began to call out for his father.
“Wow. It’s pretty.” She whispered.
He didn’t say anything in reply as she leaned against his shoulder for several seconds as the front door opened once more. Creed came out and an older stallion followed behind him.
“Alie, sir, this is my father, Storm. You had questions about our past dealings and he would be the one to answer them.” Creed assured them as his father came out of the house.
Hunter said nothing in reply as the older stallion walked out into the sun. His red coat shone with health as he regarded the pair of ponies at the base of his stairs. The older stallion came down the steps and beckoned them to walk with him.
“What can I do for you?” Storm asked as they began to walk.
“I had heard of a Chimera that was used in an Arena in the Netherworld Empire. Sunder hinted that it might have come from here.” Hunter said to him.
“Ahh. I see that one still has a big mouth on him. Well…He’s not wrong about the beast. It was one of ours.” He affirmed.
Hunter felt his words resonate through him and he finally had what he wanted. He kept his face neutral and simply nodded as he went on.
“Was one of our best if I recall her right? Fierce and vicious if you got in the way.” He went on.
“Did you know why it was being bought?”
“Of course. I asked the messenger myself. We don’t sell many and the ones we do I recall easily. Was supposed to go through a middle man but I guess he got cut out and the buyer sent him to us. He told us where to deliver it and we did as we had been paid to do.” He admitted.
“You know that’s importing an animal across kingdom lines?” Hunter replied.
“Oh, we know.” Storm assured him. “When ya work with the group we do ya learn not to worry about getting caught doing something that small.”
“What would have happened had you been caught?” Hunter asked.
“We would have been freed pretty quickly. You don’t get to be my age without making a few friends in high places.”
“The nobles are gone though.”
“That’s true. But at the time they were still in play. Though I have to admit their ruler is quite the bastard. Bringing down an entire Arena just because he got nicked in it is a bit much.”
Hunter bit back a snide reply and went silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Did you know about the plans for that Chimera? How it was to be used against their ruler?”
“Of course. I asked.” He replied with a snort of laughter. “If ya were asking if we have a good history then yer asking the right questions. We have to keep up to date to stay ahead and competitive.”
“I thought you were the only one supplying Chimera?”
“Not quite.” Storm informed him. “We are just the oldest and most well-reviewed. Our beasts are well-bred and they come in a variety of temperaments. The one you picked is smart and quick on her feet. I almost pity those who will be hunting her.” He said with a loud laugh.
Hunter said nothing for several seconds as they weaved through the compound. Ponies’ moved through the fields and yards as they tended to their own tasks.
“While you may feel for her I do not doubt one pony will be taking her hide for a trophy,” Hunter replied.
“That’s true. That’s her fate I suppose. The customer can choose what to do with her and that’s how it goes. Though I will ask that you at least give her a clean death. She will fight for it do not doubt that but give her the respect she deserves.” Storm replied.
“I will see what I can do,” Hunter replied. “I do have another question for you if I may.”
“Quite the talker. Go ahead. I was told ya might talk some.”
“Sunder?”
“He sent a note saying to expect ya soon. Not sure when but I knew ya were coming at some point. So ask yer questions.”
“Are you aware that I had to sneak into the Netherworld lands to come to you?” Hunter asked and the older pony stopped in his tracks.
“Excuse me?”
“You were unaware? The borders have changed and your lands fall squarely in that kingdoms territory.”
Both Creed and Storm stared at him, shock in their eyes. “When did that happen?” Creed breathed out.
“A couple of weeks ago. I’m shocked Sunder did not mention it.” Hunter replied.
Storm looked at the ground for several seconds and then he breathed a deep breath and let it escape him slowly. Hunter waited for him to speak further.
“We will be needing to check on that.” Storm finally said.
“You haven’t seen the dragon that watches the borders?”
“That red beast?” Storm asked and Hunter nodded. “I had wondered about it but I didn’t ask too much about it. Will teach me to not check into my lands.”
“What will you do now?” Hunter asked him.
“Well, we will need to move our operation back to Equestria to be able to keep our position in the organization. I trust you can make your purchase and leave us to move?”
Hunter barked a laugh and shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.”
Creed tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
Hunter looked back at the younger stallion and a chuckle broke from him. “You worried about the female chimera being hunted?” Creed nodded. “Do not worry too much over her. You can keep her, I have what I want.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Storm asked him. “You came out here to buy her and she is part of your deal. You…”
“Silence.” Hunter’s voice rolled over them and he raised his head to his full height and looked down on them. “You have given me what I came here for by admitting what you knew of the chimera you sold. You will pay for the crime you committed.”
“Who are you to decide that, foal?” Storm sneered.
Hunter smiled and he saw Creed shudder at the sight. Hunter’s horn lit as his illusion fell to reveal the armored Overlord. Beside him, Twilight dropped her illusion and they stared at the pair of them. Hunter’s armor shone in the sun and Twilights regalia glowed as they backed up a step.
“It can’t be.” Storm breathed out. “You can’t be him. They would not send you to me if they…”
“They don’t know,” Hunter assured him. “I am more than capable of fooling a group of mercenaries and their cohorts. As you can see I have gotten exactly what I want. Your mine.” Hunter growled as he reached out to the golden dragon to come to him. He felt Sorkeno react and he could sense him as he drew nearer.
“You’re wrong if you think we would allow you to walk in here and make fools of us. You shunned the idea of having a chimera as your protector and we will show you why that was foolish.” Creed informed him as he whirled to run.
A loud roar tore over them as Sorkeno flew above them, his body casting a shadow over them. Hunter watched as both of them froze in place at the sight of the dragon.
“You think I came alone?” Hunter said to them, his voice smooth. “He is only a part of the army I brought with me. You are on my land and I will make sure you pay for the crimes you committed. As I said, you are mine.”