//------------------------------// // Day 2, Part 2 // Story: Heat Wave (The Naughty-Bits Kind) // by Scooter //------------------------------// Day 2, Part 2 The motley crew subtly snuck out of the library, cartoonishly tip-hoofing their way to the nearest building. When they got to the building opposite the library, they pressed themselves flat against it, like spies sneaking. Mac and Hooves had concurred on the last place Braeburn had been seen by them was at the bar they were hiding in. They decided to sneak back into the bar, via the bulkhead used in their daring escape. Getting to the bar involved stealthily sneaking past roving bands of mares in groups of 5. The mob had become more organized in the past few hours, likely by the guidance of Twilight Sparkle, but it was not overly difficult for them to sneak by, as the mares were not exactly on high alert. They were really just walking in groups, talking about how darned horny they were. This still required sneaking, nonetheless. At one point, the were forced to use cardboard boxes to sneak across a particularly busy street, making the mares believe it was just a simple box crossing. The sneaking was not difficult, but it took time. If they simply galloped, they would have been to the bar in less than 5 minutes, but to avoid being jumped, they had to be mega-sneak. As they approached the bar, they noticed that the bulkhead was still open, a good sign, perhaps. They sent Spike down to quietly check to see if any mares were down there. Spike creeped up the steps and leapt behind a stack of empty barrels outside as another group of mares passed them. He turned to Mac and Hooves, who were also behind the barrels. “The cellar is all clear,” they then quickly snuck down the steps. Mac then closed the bulkhead as quietly as he could, as to not alert the guard-mares. They then fanned out, quietly and efficiently searching the cellar. Finding nothing, they regrouped. “He ain't here!” “Where could he have gone?” “I dun know, but he ain't here.” Hooves checked upstairs to be sure nopony was there, either. He returned and gave them the all-clear. Mac deflated. “Ah lost mah cousin...” Spike jumped up and hugged his face, “It's okay dude, I'm sure we'll find him!” Hooves nodded, “Right-o! For now, let's just get out of here before somepony finds us!” Mac nodded, sadly. “Ah... Ah guess yer right.” Hooves smiled brightly, “Come now, back to the library, we can use these barrels as a method of evading the fairer sex” Hooves went over and popped the top off of a barrel. He found it to be filled with cider. He began pouring the cider down the drain in the center of the floor, his companions joining him in this. Mac emptied out his barrel with ease. Spike had to force it over with all his strength, using his legs as he pressed himself against the wall of the cellar. The barrel hit the ground, causing the top of the barrel to pop off. Spike walked around and peered into the barrel. He sighed and walked over to the wall to get another. “Why'a getting' another barrel?” Mac asked, raising an eyebrow. Spike shook his head, “some jerk is asleep in mine,” tipping another barrel over. Mac checked Spike's barrel to find Braeburn unconscious in it. Mac smiled and pulled him out of the barrel and shook him. “Braeburn, wake up,” Mac said, gingerly. Braeburn would not rouse, so Mac took his large hoof and brought it across Braeburn's face, causing him to regain consciousness and yelp at being smacked. Braeburn looked around, deliriously. It took him a few minutes to come back around, but when he did, he felt back to normal. “Ah knew ya'll would come back fer me! Ah dun know how ah ended up all unconscious-like, musta laughed too hard at one'a my jokes, hehe,” Mac shook his head, knowing how terrible Braeburn's jokes were and how hilarious Braeburn thought they were. Hooves decided to speak up. “I am certainly glad to find you unmolested, but we must go now. This area is not nearly safe,” Everypony (and one dragon) agreed. The continued with their barrel idea and rolled their way back to the library, narrowly avoiding crashing into a few mares more than a few times. It took much less time than their first trek to the bar, but the journey back to the safe haven that was the library still took a good 20 minutes. When they finally arrived back at the library, the sun was beginning to set. Mac hoped that the night would bring some calm to the chaos outside, how wrong he was. With night came the fighting, not amongst the hidden stallions of the library, but the mares. The mares could be heard outside shouting about who has the rights to go first when the stallions are captured. As the stallions continued to listen in secrecy, they became fearful of what would be done to them if they were to be found at this juncture. There was talk of the strongest getting to have their way first and then talk of fighting for the right began. Mac had been silently watching through the window of the library. Normally, he would have stopped such a fight, but this was not a normal time. He watched intently as Rainbow Dash was confronted by Applejack, they were getting in each other's faces and it appeared as if it would soon be a fight. He then saw Twilight Sparkle march up to the two. Good, somepony's gonna put a stop to this, Mac though, HE THOUGHT WRONG. Twilight was suddenly punched right in the muzzle by Rainbow Dash. Twilight looked stunned, but suddenly, she tackled Dash and Applejack in turn tackled Twilight. Suddenly, all the mares that had congregated started duking it out, quickly joining the new factions of the renegade mares. There were hoofs flying and teeth being bucked clean out of mouths and at one point, kissing, but that ended quickly. After a half hour of this, they had been divided. Lines had been drawn in the ground, separating the town into thirds, for each faction of the mares. They had already made banners and flags. Mares get a lot done when they are horny, I suppose. Twilight was now the leader of a large group of mares, including Rarity, Mayor Mare, Cheerilee, the three Flower sisters, Octavia, Flitter and Bon-Bon, just to name a few. Their flags were purple, with a star in the center and a unicorn horn, pegasi wing and hoof crossed, showing unity, maybe. This would likely be the most level headed group of them all. Her faction was called 'The Faction Formed and Led by Princess Twilight Sparkle, Mistress of Science and Magic'. Twilight had decided on the name, as it got the point across quite well, she thought. The next faction was that being led by Applejack. Her group included Colgate, Nurse Redheart, Carrot Top, Aloe and Vera, Blossomforth, Sparkler and an OC Pony. There were dozens more in her faction, as well. Their flag was red, green and yellow, probably picked by Applejack by them being colors of apples. On the flag was a depiction of one mare helping another up. This group would likely be the group to be the most efficient. Their group was called 'Faction of the Sisterhood'. Their creed was that they treat each other like family, similar to the motto of the popular Istallion restaurant chain. The third and final faction was that being led by Rainbow Dash. Her group included Pinkie Pie, Cloudkicker, Cloudchaser, Lyra, Vinyl Scratch, Berry Punch and Ditzy Doo. Rainbow Dash probably had the smallest group, but barely. Rainbow Dash's flag was a cyan flag with a depiction of Tank the tortoise on it, with an explosion behind him. Dash, Lyra and Vinyl Scratch worked on it together. If it came to fighting, this group was likely to be the best suited. Dash also declared that they were “The best Party Faction of all time”. To this claim, Pinkie and Vinyl began a miniature party with confetti and sick beats. Their faction was called 'The Best One' by Rainbow. From what Mac gleaned from all the yelling, the town was now split into three sectors, each faction controlling one. If a stallion is to be found in one sector, he belongs to the faction of that sector. This was law. Mac gulped at that. The three groups had just begun to build barricades and walls to block out the other groups, Mac had a strong feeling that they'd be ready by tomorrow. Twilight's group had already gotten headbands made by Rarity, all of which were quite fashionable. The three factions had already renamed their territory as well, Ponyville no longer existed. There were the three territories. The Faction Formed and Led by Princess Twilight Sparkle, Mistress of Science and Magic's territory was called 'The Library', due to the library being part of their territory. The territory of The Faction of the Sisterhood was called 'Discord's Alley', some menacing to hopefully keep away the others. The final territory, the domain of The Best One was dubbed 'The Rainboom-dome: Enter at your own risk'. After less than 48 hours, the town had devolved into factions and fighting, Mac marveled at it. He had seen enough and turned away, pulling down the shade to the window. He walked over to the other stallions who were on the second floor, in the library. He looked to Hooves, warily. Mac was unsure if he could trust Hooves, he who wished to abandon Braeburn for his won selfish safety. At the moment, Mac did not have a choice. He decided to make conversation, having become much more talkative since the pseudo-apocalypse of Ponyville. “Howdy,” He said, sitting down with Spike and Hooves. The two exchanged greetings with Mac. Mac eyed Braeburn out of the corner of his eye, avidly reading a book. “Wha's he readin'?” “The Celestial Bodies, I think Braeburn is going a bit nutty. He might go all religious on us,” Hooves said, rubbing his eyes with his hooves, “So, what is happening outside?” Mac's eyes flicked to the window, “Welp, we ain't in Ponyville anymore” Hooves sighed deeply, “Maybe we should, uh, barricade the front door, I doubt a lock will keep out a few hundred mares if they decide they want to come in.” Said the doctor, sounding like he was just talking to talk. Spike shook his head, “Ya don't need to, there's magic on the library, nobody can come in, unless somebody who is already inside invites them in,” Spike said, smiling proudly. Suddenly, he jumped up and waddle ran out of the room. He came back moments later with a telescope. “Tada!” He declared, presenting the telescope to the stallions. “It's a telescope, bravo. What's it for?” Asked Hooves, clearly unimpressed. Spike frowned, “For looking at what's going on outside, duh.” “Oh... that actually is a good idea, sorry for the sarcasm,” Hooves apologized. Spike smiled at him, “No worried, we're cool” In the far corner of the room, Braeburn read 'The Celestial Bodies' to himself, every few minutes stopping to send a prayer to Celestia. Also with him was a copy of John Mareton's 'Paradise Trots' and Dante Alineighri's 'Tartarus'. Braeburn had suddenly felt the need to be a devout Celestian, so that perhaps Celestia would hear his prayer and come save him. Hopefully, she would not hear the cursing of her when he had spent a few hours in a barrel and had run out of jokes. He had also picked up eating the pages of the books when he was done with them. Full of fiber, he rationalized. Macintosh had decided to try out the telescope, cantering over to the window with the telescope slung over his shoulder. He set it up very low to the ground, so that nopony could see it from outside. He looked out into the ruined Ponyville. The immediate area was destroyed and filled with lit torches and bonfires, giving it a very ominous, eerie feel. But beyond the destruction, out in the farther reaches of The Faction of The Sisterhood territory, there were buildings still perfectly intact, still candles burning in the window on the second floor of a home. The streets were littered with broken glass from some of the windows shattered from the searching, but besides that- Wait. Big Mac turned the telescope back to the burning candle in the window. He tried to see inside, but could not very well. He had kept his sights on the window for a solid five minutes when he saw it. A stallion slowly and stealthily snuck up to the window with a pair of binoculars, peering out into the destruction. From what Mac could tell, he had a light coat, blue probably and a shaggy mane. Were those a pair of wings he saw? Darn tootin', they were. He looked awfully familiar, Mac thought. He watched the pegasi scan the area, looking at 'The Library' territory for a long while. While he did so, he casually, while not taking his eyes off 'The Library' territory, began eating a pie. He would scan the area, then casually stuck the muzzle into the buy and began feverishly eating it, while still keeping his cool and watching the library. That is when it happened, the pegasi suddenly took the binoculars away from his eyes, his mouth agape, causing a large chunk of pie to fall from his mouth back into the tin. Mac wondered what he was looking at. As he wondered, he noticed the pegasi smile. Mac then realized that it was him he had seen and they were making eye contact at that moment, even if through a telescope. The Pegasi then turned to speak to somepony. Two of them, Mac thought, two or more. The stallion brought the binoculars back to his eyes, now Mac moved the telescope and smiled at him. Our next project, Mac thought to himself, considering the long distance.