Fight and Flight
The battle was joined, as both birds and the tribal cult of Ponies under Azutohil's command tore into each other. Spears tore into the sides and chests of the equines, stabbing deep and quickly ending their lives. And several birds fell at the blowgun darts the painted equines. The two sides swarmed over the ruins, spreading blood and feathers everywhere.
"Brothers, let us destroy the intruders!" The chief declared, flying towards a one of the pony goons.
"Destroy the feathered ones! In the name of lord Azutohil!" One of the ponies screamed, jumping onto a flock of the Penna warriors.
The fighting only intensified, with Penna picking ip the ponies in their talons, and flying them up high before dropping them to be dashed to pieces. Whenever the equines could pull one of the tribal birds down, they would swamp him, trampling the now-defenseless Penna to death. Even so, the birds were doing a fairly good job of protecting their ruined home.
But unbeknownst to the avian defenders, three figures were making there way through the ruins, and headed towards the place where the necklace was kept.
"Hurry, you fools!" The large catlike creature exclaimed, urging the other two to keep up. "If we hurry, we can get the necklace, and be out of here before those idiots even notice!"
"But don't forget we'll be using my airship to escape, senior Azutohil." Cabellerion pointed out rubbing his hooves together. "And I expect to be well paid for all of my troubles!"
"And I demand more cheese for all my work!" Omar squeaked, scurrying behind his accomplices as they entered the chamber where the necklace was supposed to be. "If it wasn't for me, you never would have gotten this scheme off the ground!"
"Don't worry, boys!" A tan Pegasus exclaimed, stepping out from behind the empty pedestal where the necklace was supposed to be. "I'll make good and sure you all get exactly what's coming to you!"
"Daring Do?!?" The giant catlike villain howled in surprise. "How did you get here?!? Where is the artifact?!?"
"Well beyond you loser's reach!" Rainbow Dash snorted, as she and Niblik came out from behind Yearling. "And we're not gonna let you get anywhere near 'em!"
"You will never get your hands on the necklace, villains!" The troll declared. "And the only thing you'll be getting from us is a good thrashing!"
"Take care of the other two." Azutohil declared, narrowing his eyes. "Daring Do is mine!"
"Normally, I don't enjoy dirtying my own hooves, but I have some frustration in need of taking out!" Cabebellerion snorted at Niblik, stamping his hoof. "En garde, troll brute!"
The stallion charged straight at Niblik, slamming into him, and sending the troll flying back into the wall. But the troll was back on his feet in an instant, picking up the pony and hurling him into the opposite wall of the ruins, knocking him unconscious as Cabellerion hit the hard surface.
"Ungh!" The stallion groaned, sliding down the wall.
"Take that, ruffian!" Niblik declared, dusting himself off. "This troll does not go down so easily!"
"Omar, you little traitor!" Dash snarled, lunging at the ratling. "I was actually worried about you!"
"Well, what can I say?" The little runt sneered, dodging her, and biting down into her wing. "After all, I am a rat!"
"Aaahhhh!" The blue Pegasus yelled, flying upwards. "Get off me, ya stupid rodent!"
She zipped all around the room, unsuccessfully trying to shake him loose. Finally, Rainbow Dash flew straight up into the ceiling, tearing through the cloth roof.
"Now get off, you little vermin!" Reaching back with her teeth, she pried Omar off, and flung him off towards the horizon.
"Aghrahhhhhh!" The traitorous rat wailed, as he wend tumbling towards the sand below.
"Have a nice trip!" Rainbow Dash declared. "See ya next fall!"
Back in the main chamber, Azutohil was staring his old enemy down,
"So Daring, we meet again." The fanged fiend growled dramatically, as if reciting a speech he had prepared in advance. "You may think you are going to stop my plans, but this time-"
"This time'll end up just like all the other times, fur face." A.K. Replied nonchalantly, staring down at her hoof as she talked. "Why don't you just do us all a favor, and save your hot air for a balloon!"
"Poor Daring Do, still as smug and cocky as ever. Just as when you stopped me from taking the radiant shield of Razdon, just as when you seized the griffon’s goblet from my grasp, " The villain replied, shaking the fist at the end of his tail at her. "Well, I shall tell you that bravado will not save you this time! With the wishes that mystical Penna necklace will give to me, I shall finally be free to reign destruction upon this world! Any who stand in shall be crushed, and all shall come to fear the name of ....Azutohil!"
"That's all it comes down to with you, isn't it?" Yearling asked in frustration, glaring at the odd creature. "Boring me with a monologue. making wild threats, and putting me into some elaborate deathtrap you think I'll never be able to escape from. Frankly it's getting so old it's practically pathetic."
"What?!? Are you...mocking me, Daring Do?" Azutohil asked in shock, staring up at the Pegasus. "You dare to insult the great Azutohl to his face?!?"
"I've insulted you so many times, I'd need a score card to keep track! We've been doing this same song and dance for decades now, littler breath, and I'm frankly sick of it." A.K. pulled the necklace out from the inside of her shirt, and held it up in the air. "You want this thing to spread evil across the world, just like you've been after every Penna artifact I’ve ever hunted to cause untold amounts of destruction." Yearling snapped the necklace chain in half, and held one of the coins that it was made of high in the air "I want to walk away from this hazardous life and our constant fighting., But I cannot just let you run amok over Ponykind with a bunch of coins that grant any wish you desire."
"Really, now?" Azutohil asked, an arrogant smirk on his face. "And I wish you'd tell me how you intend to stop me, my Dear Daring. Especially without fighting me, senorita."
"Well, do you know what it is I wish, Azutohil?" Yearling replied, as the golden coin vanished from her hoof as it was granted. "I really wish this stupid game of ours was finally over! I really wish you were dead!"