//------------------------------// // The Mysterious Stalker // Story: The Revenge of Tirek // by Matthew Stone //------------------------------// Twilight has her alicorn wings stiffen as she prepares her equipment that she and her friends may need to venture out to Tatarus. Celestia plans on staying with Ian, Sonic, and Leo to comfort Discord, just as Twilight enlists her friends to go with her as following. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, TJ, Tails, Skull, Fireblaze, William, and Spike will be going along. The purple alicorn princess also lists out the material she needs with the quick visit to Zecora’s. Celestia observes all of Twilight’s friends planning this out as they talk in the hospital room. She then goes over to Twilight and hugs her. “Good dear, dearest princess.” Celestia said, “Do whatever it takes to find what Tirek is up to and prevent such evil from starting. This spell must be broken.” “You can count on us!” Twilight promises. With that, Twilight and the others leave the room to start their mission, as Sonic looks at Ian and Leo tending to Discord. Leo is worried as hell for success, and such a goal must be accomplished. For the sake of other ponies to live happily… It was flaming red in the sky, as the ending of the forest borders the entrance to the heavily guarded prison of Tatarus. Blade, the black earth pony, is keeping guard outside the gates. His volunteer work for protecting the prison isn’t easy. Right now, he’s fighting a monster with fifteen heads, just to keep it from tearing down the giant walls. The last thing the prison needs is a big wreckage to allow dangerous criminals to escape. Eventually, Blade wins the fight by stabbing the beast through the heart. He uses the method to come from behind, when twirling in the air in different direction to distract the monster. As soon as the beast is stabbed, it collapses to the ground, just an inch away from the walls. “Man, who ever knew monsters can be obsessed of prisoner meat?” Blade shudders, “Cerberus could’ve done it. What’s with that guard dog lately?” “Having trouble I see?” a voice asked behind him. Blade turns around to see a green troll walking towards him. He’s dressed formally, foe he is the warden of the prison. “Hey Droll.” Blade said, “This beast nearly made a hole. Cerberus must have fell on the job.” “SERIOUSLY?” Droll asked, annoyed. He rubs his hand across his forehead. “WHEN I FIND THAT SLEEPING MUTT, I’LL GIVE HIM TEN LASHES!” Droll yelled in frustration, “ANYPONY CAN INVADE THIS AREA ANYTIME! This prison is the key to protect everypony, and I want to make sure I keep my assurance for Celestia on that!” Droll then pulls out a tiny wand, and holds it between it’s fingers. He then vaporizes the dead creature, and turns it into brown mush. The pony soldiers are then called out by his word, and they pick up the dirty remains with shovels, and scoop them into buckets. “Now that that’s done, our inmates will have the special for the evening.” Droll said. “Ick.” Blade said, disgusted. “Now where’s that mutt?” Droll demands, “Something is very wrong, and this must be figured out!” “Shall we check the other side of the prison?” Blade suggest, “The guarding drop?” “Why not?” Droll shrugs. Blade and Droll are then guided by three of the prison soldiers to follow the trail that leads to the south gate, with the big guard doghouse standing alongside it. The guards unlock the doghouse door by yelling out the emergency word, “RAID”, which was exactly Blade said before the monster came at him. No response. Droll decides to take action, and allows the pony guards to pry the door open. They do so, and they find Cerberus’ body inside. Yet, something wasn’t right. They head deeper inside the house, nervous of what they might find. Sure enough, all three heads of Cerberus’ body… WERE GONE! Blood kept spurting out, as if a disturbing fountain of zombie liquids have been broken into the wild. “WHAT THE?” Droll gasps. “Okay, this is bad.” Blade admits. Just then, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Spike, Skull, Fireblaze, William, Tails, and TJ arrive at the scene after their hour hike through the Everfree Forest. They just go towards the south gate, and head inside the doghouse when they see Droll and Blade. “Hey Droll, we’d be hoping that you’ll expect us.” Twilight said. She then turns her reactions to the dead body of Cerberus. “WHAT?” she jumps up in horror. “HOW CAN SOMEPONY KILL A POWERFUL GUARD DOG LIKE HIM?” Skull yells in surprise. Then, Tails sees a small piece of vine at the corner of the house room. It’s covered with red thorns, and they still have slimy blood stains painted on them. He goes over and picks it up, giving it a good sniff with his nose. Then, he’s in more… more FEAR, than just absolute shock. “No… it can’t be….” Tails shook. “You mean… the one who’s obsessed with you, and nearly killed you before?” TJ asks. ‘Yep.” Tails nods at TJ. “Who are you talking about?” Twilight asks. “My stalker… COSMOS.” Tails said. “She had a bizarre fantasy of wanting to marry Tails, but we knew that she was unstable. She actually killed everypony that came close to Tails, just because he meets some of them and talks to them. Then, when she found out about his crush on… well, you…. she became more than jealous….” TJ explains to Twilight, “She’ll be coming after us too, while working for V.” Fluttershy shook in rage when hearing the story of Cosmos. She can’t believe that such a pony can kill and innocent beast that’s nice, like the guard dog Cerberus. “When we find her, I’ll give her a beating for her acts of murder!” Fluttershy promises. “Get in line Fluttershy, I want her first.” Droll reminds her, “After all, Cerberus was my responsibility. Not the best guard dog, but she was my best pet.” Droll then tears out in sadness. “Why Cerberus? Just… why?” he stutters. “How can we find out where Cosmos is going to find V?” Skull asks Twilight. “I think Shining Armor might know. and he did tell me that some of the crystal ponies go to Manehattan. That is, I do recall criminal records reporting that Cosmos was a crystal pony.” Twilight said, “But, something is happening in Manehattan too, and Celestia has tried to contact Mayor Dasher. But… he told her nothing is going on. Celestia told me too that his voice sounded… robotic. It’s strange.” “I think Storm and Gilda should help us too.” Fireblaze suggests, “After all, Storm did send me a telegram that he has suspicions of the prince’s oddest behavior. More likely, aggressive.” “Where is Tirek in the meantime?” Twilight asks Droll. “I’ll have my guards fetch him.” Droll said. “SIR!” a voice calls behind him. One of the pony guards than rushes in front of Twilight and Droll from behind. He pants, and the white mare’s eyes widen in shock. “Tirek… he’s not in his cell.” the guard huffed. “HE’S GONE?” Droll shouts. “JESUS! This has to be the work of V!” William considers. “We need to head back to Canterlot to prepare protection and plan more strategies!” Twilight said, “Half of need to split and let both Celestia and Luna know about Tirek’s escape!” “BLADE! You go with them!” Droll instructs to him, “I’ll send the emergency message to every mayor in each city about Tirek’s escape!” “Right!” Blade agrees. As the guards rush to secure everything in Tatarus, Twilight and her friends rush back to Canterlot with Blade following along. It was in Prince Everest’s throne room that V snuck in to wait inside. The red skinned human looks around the domed room that’s painted completely in gold. He sees the rounded couch that resembles Everest’s seat of royalty. He observes the yellow pillars holding up the curved arc roof of the room. There are no windows, so the room also seems to have outdoor air travel through. V then turns around, as soon as he hears the door open. Everest, with his most annoyed face walks into the room, taking off his armor and tossing his sword to the floor. The griffon prince then looks up, and faces his eyes directly at V’s. The two of them stand completely still for at least a minute. “Oh V.” Everest smiled, “I WAS SO HAPPY THAT YOU HAD ME PART OF POSESSING THAT CHAOS TRASH!” “You done a good having that rock strike Discord with it’s powers, a good job indeed.” V claps, “And for that, you will have my father Tirek’s allegations towards Canterlot…. completed. Our army is just getting prepared too, so be patient.” “Yes, more land… and more ponies for my slaves.” Everest sneers. “Yes, power is important for you, ever since your parents died. Then, before all is lost, you took over.” V said, “Good and good. But we must make sure that the main six and their friends are dealt with first. Oh, maybe they can be turned into slaves. Also, thanks again for letting me use your kingdom as my… newest hideout. My father is arranging the meeting to happen in Manehattan, and our newest mutating monsters are being made by our first ever slaves. They will do the honors to make sure Manehattan stays secure.” He then comes over to Everest, and places his arm around his shoulder. “Our fellow businessmen will also have to move here with your permission in case anything backfires.” V continues, “But, will you give in to any threats… in case any come?” “They can toss them at me!” Everest smirks, “But I always strike back with violence!” Gilda and Storm are flying in the sky outside Everest’s castle. They are practicing their own fighting moves in case more battles are going to ensue. “I bet you can’t even throw a practice sword punch!” Gilda laughs. “Try me!” Storm laughs along. They then rush and swirl through the sky, passing over the streets of their race shopping for food through the bazar markets. The two griffons then swirl past the throne room of Everest’s castle. By bad coincidence, something then catches Gilda’s eye. “What is it?” Storm asks as he stops by Gilda. “Shh.” Gilda presses her finger by Storm’s lips, and swoops down to hide behind one of the pillars of Everest’s throne room. She stays hidden, having her back press against the pillar. Strom quietly comes beside her, wondering what’s going on. “I know the legends of V…” Gilda whispers to Storm, “I thought I saw Everest… TALKING TO HIM!” The two of them then bend their heads over, and have their eyes examine the truth. Everest shakes hands with V. “Prepare the attacks soon.” V instructs to the prince. “I’ll make sure I’ll get my lie straight.” Everest promises. “So that’s how it is!” Storm seethes. “Out of all the worst princes in the Griffon Kingdom, and he’s making an alignment with V?” Gilda whimpers, “Man, this is NOT good.” V then stands still, before he continues speaking with Everest. He KNEW someone was there. “You folks listening in?” he finally called out casually, “Guess you better take care of them Everest.” Storm and Gilda then have their blood rush through their bodies, and fly faster than ever to get away. “Gilda and Storm…” Everest snarled angrily, “GUARDS! CATCH THEM! CAPTURE THEM!” The guards then rush through the throne room door, as they prepare to fly through the pillars and come after the two good griffons. “We’ve been found out!” Storm said in fear to Gilda. He then looks back to see the guards are now whooshing after them in the sky. “FLY FATSER!” Gilda cried. The flying became more of a one hundred miles per hour chase, as the guards are starting to get really close to Gilda and Storm. Then, two guards JUMP OVER on Gilda and Storm each, and have their weight push them down to fall to the surface. They then TACKLE them onto the ground, having them land right in the middle of the griffon market street. Then, Storm kicks off the guards holding him, along with Gilda doing the same thing. The fight ensues as the first two guards throw their sword swipes to try and hit Gilda. Gilda then hops back, and strikes both the guards with her bird claws. Storm in the meantime, twirls over the guards when they try to knock him out with their shields. He then does kick from behind, and strikes their backs to SMASH their spines. He then uses a karate chop on their necks, to knock THEM out. He then turns, sensing more guards might come. Gilda then rushes to him, as soon as she wins her fight. “STORM! GO TO CANTERLOT AND WARN THEM ABOUT THE PRINCE!” Gilda shouts, “THEY MUST KNOW HE’S INVOLVED WITH V!” “Cousin, no!” Storm protests, “I’m not leaving you!” “Look, two of us can’t get caught!” Gilda retorts, “I’ll be alright. GO NOW!” “As you wish.” Storm nods. Then he rushes up into the sky, disappearing through the clouds. From behind, Gilda is then tackled by seven guards and quickly captured. Her hands are placed behind her back as shackles chain them up and bind them. “You’re COMING with us!” the first guard said. All of the griffon citizens mumble at the fight they just saw, wondering what’s going on. “STAND BACK! MAKE WAY!” the guards ordered to the citizens. They then drag Gilda back to the castle. In the throne room, the guards finally enter through the entrance with Gilda as their prisoner. V is also hidden to not bring suspicion to anypony who comes in. Everest then turns around to face his guards “We captured Gilda.” the first guard said, “But Storm got away.” “FOOLS!” Everest shrieks. He then catches himself, takes a deep breath, and calms down. “No… no matter. One will do.” Everest coos. The guards then leave the room, leaving Gilda to face Everest. In a second, black dust appears as V now stands right by Everest, looking down at Gilda. “My father can accomplish anything…” V said slowly, “The main six ponies will be distracted, let me assure you.” He then grabs Gilda’s feathers by the head, and forces her eye contact to meet his. “Since you’ve been snooping, your magic is still somewhere inside you. I might need it.” V chuckles, “You are going to have to come against the main six eventually, and also KILL their friends.” “I… WILL… NEVER…” Gilda protests in a struggling voice. “Oh, you will.” V said. He then slams Gilda’s head to the floor, and steps back to make some space. He then creates black gooey demons with his magic. They rise from the floor, and appear to look like slimy, silver orbs. “We are ready master…” the slimly assistant said. “Good.” V smiles, “NOW GO!” The orbs than rise into the air, and fly straight toward the direction Canterlot is located. “These orbs will make a quick visit to Canterlot’s top princesses.” V laughs. He then comes over to Gilda. As she struggles against the chains, V strikes her on the head, knocking her unconscious. She then falls flat to the floor. “I also created a Fail Safe spell.” V tells Prince Everest, “If somehow Celestia, Twilight, or Luna break the form of my spell, it will be activated to make sure they don’t remember my hideout in Manehattan. A simple amnesia trick if you call it. But…” V then frowns. “If storm tells them when we will move out towards them, all would be lost. So be lucky that our members will visit at YOUR kingdom hideout by any means necessary. I’m definitely sure they’ll want to know more about you too.” “Quite good.” Everest grins, “Now I must attend to my other subjects.” “I need to go back to Manehattan anyway.” V said, “Do whatever you want with Gilda. I’ll see you later.”