“HEY!! Privacy!”
“Yikes!” Starlight slammed the door. “I am so sorry, Spike! I thought it was the library.”
I readjusted my towel and sighed. “This is why we need to label the rooms. I think the library is the third door from the left.”
“Thanks.”
I finished brushing my teeth, and I dried the rest of my body off. I then went to the library just in time to see Twilight and Starlight leave.
“Oh, Spike,” Twilight said. “I was just about to find you. Could you help us get the rest of the girls?”
“Uh, sure,” I replied. “What for?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with everypony.”
I had a feeling about what this episode was. I obliged and went to get Fluttershy and Applejack. The three of us returned to the castle and met up with the others.
The Mane 6, Starlight, and I entered the throne room together.
“Let's go through this one more time,” Twilight said.
“We've been over it like a million times, Twilight!” Rainbow barked as she and Pinkie sat on their respective thrones. “We found all six keys, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!”
“That’s true. I’m glad you found yours in the nick of time, Twilight,” I said.
“Yes, but...” Twilight sat on her throne. “...how did you figure out Tirek’s necklace was my key, Spike?”
“Well, believe it or not, that rainbow phenomenon happened to me, too. When I left Ponyville after Fluttershy and Discord’s defeat, I rescued a mouse from a river. The leaves and twigs on its fur gave off a rainbow glow, and I realized that I still had a chance to help you all.”
“So what was your key, then?” Applejack asked. She climbed onto her throne.
“I didn’t actually receive a key. Instead, I saw a vision of some sort in the clouds that hinted what Twilight’s key would be.” It was a good thing that actually happened.
“So ya saved a mouse, saw some clouds, and concluded that Tirek’s necklace was Twilight's key?”
“I know it sounds weird, but that’s what happened. Maybe I am the hidden element of harmony that doesn’t require a key.”
“Or maybe your key wasn’t a physical key!” Pinkie theroized. “Maybe it was that vision, or that supersizing powers you received, or...”
“Okay, okay, we get it,” Twilight said. “Moving on, why were we given this castle?”
Applejack shrugged. “I dunno, sugarcube. Maybe it's just your new house and there ain't nothin' more to it than that.”
“I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics, there really doesn't need to be more to it. It's all simply divine!” Rarity looked around the throne room before positioning herself on her own seat.
True, but I still say it looks out of place in Ponyville.
“I agree with Twilight,” said Fluttershy. “And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie. And Spike. Oh, and probably Starlight.” She plopped herself on the throne with her cutie mark.
“I didn’t say anything,” Starlight pointed out as she sat on the painted folding chair.
“As princess, I've been chosen to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria,” said Twilight. “So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville? It doesn't make any sense.”
The girls agreed. I noticed everypony was seated and the thrones glowed. However the table didn’t appear.
How come...oh, right. I have to sit down.
I hurried to the small throne right beside Twilight’s. Once I planted my rear, the green flame glowed.
Soon, everypony’s cutie marks except Starlight’s glowed brighter. Crystals formed towards the center, and immediately a flat, circular shape peaked from the structure. In a flash, figuratively and literally, the crystals formed into a table that revealed all of Equestria.
“So that’s why your thrones glowed!” Starlight exclaimed.
“Amazing!” I called out. I rubbed the back of my hand on the table. I could only feel the smooth surface, and the mountains pierced through my hands. “It’s like a hologram in one of my comic books!”
“Hi, Mom and Dad!” Pinkie said as she stared at her rock farm.
The Mane 6’s flanks vibrated as a projection of their cutie marks appeared on the map. They grouped up and moved from Ponyville to another location.
“But if this is Ponyville, why are our cutie marks over there?” Fluttershy asked.
“I don't know,” replied Twilight. “But it seems like the map wants us to find out. The Tree, the chest, this castle, and now the map. How can we not follow it?”
“Maybe somepony over there needs your help,” I said.
Rainbow stepped on the table. “Y'know what? There's a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!”
Applejack sat up. “Aw, shoot, I reckon you're right.”
“Well, I was planning on organizing my baking sheets, but okay!” Pinkie exclaimed.
Rarity sighed and said, “Very well.”
“Um, maybe I'll just stay here,” Fluttershy said.
“Come on, Fluttershy.” I patted her back. “The map said you should go there with the others, so you might as well. And don’t worry. If there’s a dangerous creature there, your friends will be with you this time.”
Fluttershy inhaled. “You’re right. I'd better go with them. In case they need me.”
Starlight stared at where the cutie marks were. “Wait a minute. I know that spot! That’s where my town is!”
“Sire’s Hallow?” I asked.
“No, my other town. The one...the one where I nearly got everypony to give up their cutie marks.”
I checked and she was right. The cutie marks were in the same position as in the show.
Wait, but I got Starlight reformed before she even got a chance to remove the town’s cutie marks. Why would the map still call the Mane 6?
“But if that’s your town,” said Fluttershy. “Then...what could be happening over there?”
“Whatever it is, it looks like it needs all of us!” Rainbow declared.
“Not all of us, I’m afraid,” Twilight said, shaking her head. “I can only see six cutie marks, and I don’t see Starlight’s or anything for Spike. I think the map only wants the six of us to go.”
“Listen, I don’t know if the map can forbid it, but is it okay if I come too?” Starlight asked. “I won’t interfere with anything. I just want to see how the town is doing.”
“I guess you can tag along. Spike, how about you?”
I looked at the swirling cutie marks. There was no reason for Starlight to fall back into villany, and I already ate that stone in case she would. I figured it was worth the risk.
“No thanks,” I said nonchalantly. “I’ll just stay home. There’s nothing for me to do there.”
“If you say so,” said Twilight. “Let us know if something happens while we’re gone.”
“Will do.”
The girls quickly left the castle, leaving me all alone.
I went to my room. I sat at my desk and thought about what I can change for Season 5.
Starlight was already reformed, so the season debut and finale were already done. I couldn’t interfere with the map episodes, so I would leave them to the girls. I didn’t know if Twilight would feel homesick like in the show, so I would have to wait and see. Neither “Tanks for the Memories” nor the other half of “Amending Fences” should happen thanks to my past actions. I still needed to think about what to do for Discord during the Gala. I would use common sense in “Princess Spike,” and I would have Pinkie Pie throw that friendship party early in “Party Pooped.” I should try to tag along and see what that inside joke was between the girls and Discord. As for the rest of the episodes, I would have to decide when they come up.
For the human world, I remembered that some items would be affected by magic that escaped through a crack when the statue blew up during the Friendship Games. That meant I couldn’t just wait at the store with Juniper’s mirror or snatch Vignette’s phone the moment they get affected by magic. I could attempt to restore the crack, but I knew nothing about making cement other than the fact I had to wear gloves. I would need to find that memory stone, though. As for that time-looping device, I thought it would be best to leave it alone. Otherwise, Sunset would remain barred from the concert during “Sunset's Backstage Pass!”
There was also the factor of other assignments I could do. I wanted to restore the Castle of the Two Sisters, since that project seemed recently abandoned. I would also like to try to install a sprinkler system into our castle.
During my thought process, a faint sound of knocking was heard. I got off my chair and peeked into the hallway. The knocking continued, and I realized where it was coming from. I quickly got out of my room and headed towards the front doors.
“I’m coming!” I called out.
I opened the door to see the mailmare holding a box.
“Package for Mr. Spike!” Derpy announced.
“That’s me,” I replied. “Strange, I don’t remember ordering anything.”
After signing for the package, I brought the box inside and opened it. An envelope rested on top of an O&O Deluxe kit. I quickly opened the letter and read it.
“Dear Spike,
I almost forgot to send this to you. I have no need for it anymore due to my work and my time with Cadance.
Have fun with it, and once again congrats on the new castle!
Signed,
Shining Armor
P.S., I’m afraid I couldn’t find our character sheets, so you might have to make a new one.”
I put the letter away and took out the kit. It contained a bunch of minifigures, blank character sheets, game boards, and that trifold poster the dungeon masters use.
There was no reason to let this set collect dust. I didn’t have to go through with my plans immediately, so it would be nice to try out a session.
I knew Big Mac would be into this, but I did not know if Button Mash or Rumble would be interested. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.
I went to Sweet Apple Acres first. After helping the red stallion with his chores, I offered him a chance to play a short session with me. All I got from him was an “Eeyup,” which was fine by me. I told him to meet me near the castle while I find more players.
Rumble was next. I went to his house and asked him to join my group. I told him he didn’t have to if he didn’t want to. Luckily, he had nothing planned today, so he accepted. He flew to the castle.
My final stop was at Button Mash’s house. I rang the doorbell, and a cream-colored pony with a brown mane answered the door. My eyes widened; I knew who she was.
“May I help you?” The mare asked.
“Uh...” I cleared my throat. “Is Button Mash home right now?”
“He’s in his room right now. Why don’t you come in?”
I nodded and followed the mare inside.
“Go ahead and take a seat,” the mare said. She then approached the stairs. “Buttons! One of your friends is here.”
After hearing the faint sound of Button Mash’s voice, the mare walked away.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” I said as I sat on the couch. “But you look rather familiar. What’s your name?”
“My name is Cream Heart, child,” the mare replied. “I’m with the leading members of the Single Parents Association if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Ah, that must be it.”
So Cream Heart is a canon character? No wonder Jan had legal issues with Hasbro. I guess it was too late to show her in the series.
Button Mash trotted down the stairs holding his Game Colt. I could hear the 8-bit music from where I was sitting.
“Spike?” Button Mash pressed a button on his Game Colt, and the music stopped. “What brings you here?”
“I was wondering if you were free today,” I replied. “I’m setting up a game of...Ogres and Oubliettes, and I was wondering if you were interested.”
“What’s ‘Ogres and Oubliettes’? Is it that board game eggheads play?”
“No,” I replied sternly. “O&O is a board game that anypony or non-pony can play without being judged. You can make your character however you want, choose what to do at any time, and ask questions if you don’t understand. Basically, it’s a ‘do whatever you want’ kind of game.”
“Oh, so it’s an RPG. I get it.”
“Anyway, if you want to play a round with us, you’re welcome to come to the castle with me. If not, that’s fine. I’ve already got Big Mac and Rumble joining me, so we can manage with three players.”
For some reason, Button’s ears perked up when I mentioned Rumble’s name.
“You know what?” Button turned off his Game Colt. “It wouldn’t hurt to try new methods of gaming.”
“Okay,” I said. “As long as your mother—”
“Go ahead,” Cream called out. “Just make sure to get home before sundown.”
Button and I left the house and took the dirt road up to the castle.
I said, “Hey, your mother is—”
“I know,” Button interrupted with an annoyed tone. “You’re not the first creature to think she’s pretty, believe me.”
Once the two of us arrived at the doorstep, I took everypony to the dining room (the map was still up in the throne room) where we set up the game and our characters. I kept things simple for everypony so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed with the skill sets and classes.
“Now, don’t be afraid to ask questions during this campaign,” I said. “Just don’t ask too many detail questions, like what specific color the enemies are or what bricks the dungeons use. Use your imagination.”
We spent the next half-hour creating our characters. Big Mac’s was exactly like in the show: a unicorn knight named “Sir McBiggun.” As for my character, I chose to be a wizard like the Old Spike, however I picked a few spells different from what he would choose. I also named my character “Grand Oaf the Wise.”
“How are your characters coming along?” I asked Button and Rumble.
“Just finished mine,” said Rumble as he showed me his character. “Sticky Hooves is a pegasus thief who’s been living in the shadows and stealing ever since his parents passed when he was a colt. Then one day, he gets caught and now owes a huge sum of money to a bad king. Thus, he is forced to do quests in order to clear his debt.”
“Huh. And how about you, Button Mash?”
“Hammer Locks. An earth pony warrior,” Button said bluntly.
“What? No backstory?” Rumble asked.
“I didn’t think a backstory would be necessary.”
You sound like the guys who made Cozy Glow.
“Alright, I think we’re good to go,” I said. “Remember to keep track of your stuff, don’t be afraid to add any dialogue, and I’ll let you know if we ever enter combat so you won’t have to draw your weapon at an awkward time.”
I cleared my throat, and began the campaign.
One evening, a local tavern was polluted with different creatures of unknown intent. Their bulkiness and slimness varied as the benches and stools they sat on compressed all the same. Off-key piano music filled the air, but the loud conversations drowned it out at every chance they got.
The double doors opened as a party of four walked in. Only a handful of patrons looked before returning to their vices.
The leader of the gang, Grand Oaf, stood as the tallest. He donned a blue robe that draped all the way down to his bare dragon feet. His pointed hat was of the same color. His face was covered in a white beard that reached the belt of his robe, and his green slitted-eyes hid behind a pair of tiny silver eyeglasses that provided no advantage but for style. A worn, wooden staff with a red gem was gripped in Grand Oaf’s right hand.
Right beside him was Sir McBiggun. The red unicorn reached only half the height of Grand Oaf. Black armor coated the stallion, covering multiple scars and cuts. The only areas of his head that weren’t covered by his helmet were his emerald eyes, five o’clock shadow, and pointy horn. A dark-grey claymore rested snugly in its hilt on the left side of the knight’s armor.
Following close behind was a light-grey, late-teenager pegasus, Sticky Hooves, who also chose black as his color of clothing. However, in place of metal, his outfit was all cloth and leather that covered the majority of his body sans his hooves. Pouches were decorated across his chest and around his belt. A black hood obstructed his face, hiding the lavender eyes from anyone’s view. The part of his face that was shown was his nose and mouth, which had a scar running down his lip. His weapon of choice was a dagger, and like Sir McBiggun’s sword, it rested untouched in its hilt. Sticky Hooves was a head shorter than the knight before him.
The last member, Hammer Locks, stood by Sticky Hooves. Despite Hammer and Sticky being the same age, the former’s muscular build made him nearly as tall as Sir McBiggun. The metal trousers and sash across his torso was his only form of armor, as evident by the scars scattered across his body. His beard covered the lower half of his face, but his head was covered by nothing but stubble. One of his amber eyes was whited out, however it was merely a cosmetic damage. His weapon was a steel sledgehammer covered in runes. Its sheer size and power would make even a god of lightning envious.
The group of four creatures approached the bar. The stout bartender halted his mug cleaning to see the group.
“We’re here to see the lancer for a quest,” said Grand Oaf. “Is he around?”
Without speaking a word, the bartender pointed to a nearby table. Said table had only one occupant: an abyssinian in brown, leather armor with his lower paws on the table. He didn’t need to adjust his cavalry hat to sense the presence of the new visitors.
(“Excuse me, but what’s an abyssinian?” Rumble asked.)
(“It’s a giant cat who walks on two legs,” I replied.)
“So you’re the guys who responded to my post,” said the abyssinian. “Honestly, you were not what I expected.”
Grand Oaf avoided taking that personally and asked, “So what is the quest you have for us?”
The abyssinian sat up. “An ogre from a local dungeon owes me a lot of gold, but he refuses to pay up. I need you four to traverse down there and teach him a lesson. You’re welcome to collect any loot the big guy drops, but his gold is mine.”
The abyssinian gave the quartet directions to the cave. The group exited the tavern and made their way to the local shop.
“Feel free to buy whatever you can,” said Grand Oaf. “Lantern oil, rope, explosives, potions. This store has everything. I’ve already provided fifty gold for each of you, assuming Sticky didn’t get his hooves on them already.”
“Very funny,” said Sticky.
Grand Oaf and the others spent half of their gold on items that they assumed were needed, such as darts, food, and health potions in case Grand Oaf wasn’t able to cast any healing spells.
The members left the village afterwards and traveled for no less than a mile to the entrance to the dungeon. The mossy cobblestone glistened in the approaching moonlight.
“Any second thoughts before we go in?” ask Grand Oaf.
“Nope,” Sir McBiggun said.
“Not me.” Sticky Hooves shook his head.
“Of course not,” replied Hammer Locks.
Grand Oaf looked at the entrance. “Then down we shall go.”
The group descended into the darkness. Grand Oaf casted a light spell that gave the crystal on his staff a white glow and illuminated the path in front of them.
Strolling through the cobwebby halls was rather uneventful. Hammer would attempt to smash pots in case of loot, but all he could find were ash and dust.
(“I think that twenty-sided dice is loaded,” said Button Mash. “I’m getting nothing over 10.”)
(“Relax,” I said. “It’s just bad luck is all. One time, I got three 1’s in a row.”)
The four creatures entered a rather spacious room. Dry bones littered the floor.
(“I’d like to observe the bones,” Rumble offered.)
(“Okay, roll the d20, the twenty-sided dice, for perception,” I said.)
(“13. Is that good?”)
(“Let me check you stats...yes.”)
Sticky Hooves looked at all the bones. While it was safe to assume they were from a bunch of ponies, they gave off an eerie feeling.
“There are so many bones around,” said Sticky. “Do ogres eat ponies?”
“I do not think so,” Grand Oaf replied.
(“Alright, I’m gonna roll for a wisdom check,” I said. “15.”)
Grand Oaf widened his eyes when he realized what kind of bones they were.
“We have to hurry!” He bellowed. “These bones are—”
Suddenly, a metal gate slammed the entrance shut. The torches on the wall ignited like matchsticks until the room did not need Grand Oaf’s staff for light.
The bones jiggled until they rearranged themselves and came to life. Soon, the quartet was surrounded by at least thirty skeletons.
“Looks like we’re going to have a bad time,” said Grand Oaf.
(“Roll for initiative,” I said. “The highest number goes first in combat.”)
(“I got 17,” said Rumble.)
(“I got 11,” Button Mash said.)
(“Big Mac has 7,” I said. “Let me roll for myself...11. Now for the skeletons as a whole...13. Alright, Button, roll again. We’ve got the same number, so we need to decide who will go after who.”)
(“10.”)
(“2. That means you’ll go before me. So the order is gonna be Rumble, the skeletons, Button Mash, me, and finally, Big Mac. Rumble, you start.”)
Sticky Hooves pulled out his dagger and swung at one of the skeletons. Despite the dagger leaving no trace of a cut, the skeleton fell apart back into a pile of bones. Another nearby skeleton grabbed a femur and struck Sticky on his side. He fell down, but took only minor damage.
Hammer Locks held his hammer with both hooves and swung at a different group of skeleton ponies with full force. Miraculously, he plowed through nine of them like glass pillars.
With twenty skeletons remaining, it was Grand Oaf’s turn next. He used a light spell with maximum power. It blinded ten skeletons, and four of those bumped into each other, knocking each other out.
Sir McBiggun pulled out his sword. He struck only three skeletons in total. Which meant while the bone army was quickly depleting, they still outnumbered the mortals thirteen to four.
Sticky stood there motionless.
(“Rumble, you’re next,” I said.)
(Rumble looked up from his character sheet. “Oh, right. Uh...”)
Sticky tried to trip one of the skeletons. It didn’t work. The skeleton struck back with its bony hoof, but only tore part of Sticky’s armor off.
Hammer once again used his hammer on one of the skeletons. Its bones splitted in all directions and collided with three other skeletons, breaking them apart.
“Never mess with a raging warrior!” Hammer shouted.
This time, Grand Oaf casted a fire spell, and even though none of the skeletons wore anything flammable, at least five of them ignited into flames and poofed into ashes.
Sir McBiggun sliced the remaining four skeletons in half. Once the last of them were defeated the bones lost their white color and faded to a sickly yellowish tone.
The entrance gate rose up, followed by one on the other side of the room.
“We must keep moving,” said Grand Oaf. “We’re getting close.”
“Shouldn’t we loot first?” Hammer asked.
“If you wish.”
The group searched the room to find some sort of loot, however all they could find were either rusty weapons that the skeletons didn’t bother using, or a few coins.
After a disappointing find, the group entered the corridor.
The rest of the journey was rather anticlimactic. They managed to find a room with better loot, but the items weren’t worth replacing any of the group’s equipped weapons or armor. They still kept the items just in case it was possible to sell them.
Finally, the group came up to the last room. There, they met their final boss: the ogre. The teal giant had a plump figure that could not be hidden by his torn clothing. He sat on a rotten log and stirred a cauldron filled with bubbling purple liquid. The group didn’t take one step when the ogre noticed them.
“Hey! What are you doing in my dungeon?” barked the ogre. He then coughed.
“We’re here to collect your debt,” Grand Oaf said. “An abyssinian told us you owe him a lot of gold.”
The ogre slammed the charred spoon onto the stone pavement. “You’ve got to be joking! I handed all my gold to that furball personally!”
“If you did that, we would not be here at the moment.”
“Look, how about we negotiate?” asked Sticky. “You just give us the gold you have now, and we’ll tell the cat it was all we could get.”
“Forget it!” The ogre picked up a giant club. “If you want my gold, you’re gonna have to grab it from my cold, gargantuan hands!”
“As you wish,” said Grand Oaf. “Roll for initiative!”
(I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Roll for initiative.”)
(“Darn it!” Rumble exclaimed. “I only got a 3.”)
(“Only 5,” sighed Button Mash.)
(“Looks like Big Mac got a three as well.” I rolled the d20. “19! Nice. And the ogre gets...8. Big Mac and Rumble, roll again.”)
(“16,” said Rumble.)
(“10,” Big Mac said.)
(“So the order will be me, the ogre, Button Mash, Rumble and Big Mac.”)
“You! Will not! Attack us!” Grand Oaf shouted as he slammed the bottom of his staff. A blinding red light flashed right into the ogre’s eyes, sending the creature into a daze.
“Where did everybody go?!” The ogre swung wildly at the group. While everypony and non-pony dodged, the ogre managed to sweep Grand Oaf’s legs, causing him to fall on his own back.
“Ow. What did I just say?!”
Hammer rushed in to trip the ogre, but despite the latter being temporarily blind, he avoided the sledgehammer.
“Yeah, that didn’t work for me either,” said Sticky.
Sticky tried to disarm the ogre, but unfortunately he was knocked back after trying to slash his dagger on the ogre’s arms.
Sir McBiggun was the only pony who scored a successful and physical hit. He used his claymore to whack the back of the ogre’s knees, causing the latter to stumble.
Grand Oaf pointed his staff at the ogre and prepared a lightning strike, zapping him.
Unfortunately, the electricity resulted in the ogre standing straight up, with the blindness effects wearing off early. He swung his club once more, but missed entirely.
Sticky had an idea on how to blind the ogre again. He pulled out a hoof-made smoke bomb from one of his pouches and...
(“A natural twenty!” Big Mac and I shouted in unison.)
(“A what?” Rumble asked, tilting his head.)
(“You scored a twenty without any modifiers,” I said. “That’s means something extremely lucky will happen.”)
The smoke bomb exploded, and the ogre inhaled the smoke. That’s when he choked uncontrollably. The smoke bomb, as it turns out, had an ingredient that the ogre was severely allergic to. He coughed as the smoke exhaled from his mouth and nostrils.
“You...got...me...” wheezed the ogre.
He collapsed near the cauldron. He grabbed a mug, dipped it into the bubbling liquid, and took one last chug.
“Needs...more...sugar...”
Then he literally poofed out of existence.
“The ogre’s defeated!” Grand Oaf announced. “Let us gather his loot. I’m sure he doesn’t need it anymore.”
Sure enough, the loot the group gathered was a lot more valuable than what they found in the dungeon combined. Grand Oaf found a tome for advance enchantments, Sir McBiggun found a shield, Hammer found some steel ingots, and Sticky found slumber darts. They all also found some health and mana potions.
But what they found was the most important aspect of this quest: the gold. A huge leather sack rested on the table. Grand Oaf undid the strings to be introduced to a massive pile of coins.
“This must be the debt money,” Grand Oaf said as he tied the bag back up. “Sir McBiggun, would you kindly carry the sack for us?”
“Eeyup,” said Sir McBiggun. He put the bag underneath his chest armor.
“I was gonna offer,” said Sticky, “but then again I think the cat would assume I took some from the bag. You know, me being a thief and all.”
The group exited the dungeon and returned to the village. When they entered the tavern, the place looked a lot less crowded than before. It was safe to assume that “Happy Hour” was over. However, the abyssinian still remained at his table in the same sitting position as when the group first met him. The only difference was that a couple of apple cider mugs littered the table.
“Ah, so you have returned,” said the abyssinian. “Do you have the ogre’s money?”
“Indeed,” replied Grand Oaf. “However, I’m afraid he’s not gonna ask for money from you again anytime soon. Sir McBiggun?”
Sir McBiggun pulled out the bag and tossed it onto the table. It landed with a thump, causing the mugs to jump and one of them to roll off.
The abyssinian opened the bag and bit into one of the coins. He nodded.
“Thank you all,” said the abyssinian. “I do hope he’ll be the last customer to default on his loan from me.”
“Say, there was something that’s been bothering me,” said Hammer. “Before we defeated him, the ogre said he already paid you.”
“Indeed he did, but it was not real gold. The coins were nothing but wooden circles painted gold. He only did that because he thought I wasn’t bright.”
“Well, we’ll be on our way,” said Grand Oaf. “Do let us know if you have any more quests for us.”
“And do let me know if you’re in need of a loan,” replied the abyssinian.
“Trust me, I don’t need to owe another guy money,” Sticky said.
“And that’s it for this campaign,” I said. “Did you guys enjoy it?”
The boys gave pleasant comments.
I adjusted the game board. “If you want, we can try another quest. I’ll need to come up with one first, but—”
“We’re home!” Twilight’s voice shouted from the hallway.
“Uh, oh. Guess we’ll call it a day. Thanks for playing, guys. I’ll hold onto the character sheets for you next time.”
As Button, Rumble, and Big Mac left, I put everything back into the box. I then put the box in my room and hurried to find the girls.
“Twilight?” I called out.
“In the throne room, Spike!” Twilight’s voice echoed through the halls.
I quickly hurried there to see the Mane 6 and Starlight sitting on their thrones.
“So how did it go?” I asked as I climbed into my seat.
“Terrible!” Rainbow groaned.
“Uh, oh. What happened? Did you fail your mission?”
“No, we passed,” Twilight replied. “Turns out most of the problem was just mundane stuff, like what should be built, who should live where...”
“Where to put different shops, what goodies to sell,” Pinkie added.
“Just minor disagreements,” Starlight said. “It had nothing to do with their cutie marks, of course.”
“So why did Rainbow say it was terrible?” I asked.
“Hello?! ‘Cause I wanted to fight giant monsters!” Rainbow rebutted. “Not deciding which paint color the houses should have! How can our first mission be so boring?!”
“Well...maybe the map wants to make sure you’re familiar with how it works. Like a tutorial, as it were.”
“Tutorial, schmutorial! If my next mission doesn’t involve action, I’m getting my cutie mark removed!”
“You’re welcome to do an O&O campaign with me.”
Rainbow blinked. “Uh...I’m not that desperate.”
“Suit yourself.”
It was quite an experience playing Ogres and Oubliettes with some of my male friends. I kind of expected the map to not call for me, which was a good thing since the girls needed to learn without me sometimes. Though I was surprised it still sent the girls to the Starlight’s village.
I just hoped that Griffonstone would still be exciting enough for Dashie. I didn’t know if she was serious about getting rid of her cutie mark.