The Stick of Truth: The Equestrian Chronicles

by Antojo Pony

08. Down the Rabbit Hole (Part Two)

Location: Ponyville

The tunnel became even wider as they descended further down the burrows that made up the headquarters of the Blood Bunny Brotherhood. It seems that their hunches were in fact right as they reached the end of the tunnel. The New Kid and the crusaders found themselves in a large chamber. Inside the chamber there must had been at least fifty or so bunnies, each of them were wearing dark robes and holding a black candle.

None of them seem to notice the intruders that had just arrived. The bunnies just kept staring towards a makeshift stage that was made out empty crates. On top the stage was some kind of stone altar and two hooded figures and a victim tied up to a rack.

“Are you sure you can’t control him?” one of the figures asked.

“No,” responded the other. “No matter how much I try, I can’t control him. His mind is too stubborn.” The two hooded figures were talking about a white bunny that was currently tied up to the rack .

“He looks familiar,” muttered Scootaloo.

“Angel Bunny,” said Sweetie Belle coldly, “I recognize that scowl anywhere.”

Indeed Angel Bunny was indeed scowling at the two hooded figures. He tried to jerk around wildly and struggled to untie himself. But it was to no avail, the ropes around him wouldn’t budge. Angel Bunny looked up and spotted the crusaders. He quickly turned his focus away and glanced at another direction. However his actions were not lost to one of the hooded figures.

“What are you looking at?” he asked. He stared at the same spot Angel was had seen the crusaders but saw nothing. The New Kid and the crusaders managed to hide behind a large crate full of black candles just in the nick of time. “Ah yes,” the hooded figure said. “Here come our fellow brothers and sisters.”

From the tunnel came the very same bunnies that had caused havoc at the marketplace earlier. They too were dressed in black robes. The marched up towards the stage with the altar. “Well, did you bring it?” the other hooded figure asked

The bunnies nodded obediently and presented them with the flowers they had managed to snatch. “What is the meaning of this?” asked the first of the hooded figures. He turned to the other hooded figure, “You told me that they would bring us a victim to sacrifice.”

“Well that’s what I ordered them to do,” said the other hooded figure.

“But this can’t do,” said the first hooded figure as he there the flowers to the ground. “We were supposed to have a blood orgy in his name. But we can’t do that without a victim to sacrifice.”

“Look I’m sorry,” said the other hooded figure, “I’m sure this won’t happen again. I’ll make sure that they follow my directions clearly this time.”

“Oh I’m sure it was just a mistake, everyone makes mistakes after all,” said the first hooded figure in a joyful tone, “But it’s best if they hurry, we don’t want to keep our Lord and Savior waiting after all.” With that said the first figure burst into flames and vanished.

The remaining hooded figure gave a deep sigh and lowered his hood. The New Kid recognized him at once. He was Rabbity the Rabbit, one of the Woodland Critters. “We'll take your place along the others,” he ordered the bunnies that brought him the flowers. “I think I shall send others this time.” He looked over the bunnies gathered in front of him, picking out which ones would be more suited for the task. That is when he noticed the tip of a scarlet magician’s hat sticking out from behind candle crate.

On closer look, he also noticed the tip of red tail poking out as well. “You there hiding behind the candle crate, reveal yourselves now!” he shouted.

Rabbity’s face immediately brightened when he saw the New Kid come out followed by the crusaders. “Why hello there friend, you know that there is no need to be sneaky. You are always welcome among us," Rabbity greeted him with a cheerful smile, “It’s quite a lovely day isn't it? Perfect day to offer a sacrifice to Lord Satan, don't you agree?”

The New Kid said nothing as the crusaders stared at amazement at the talking rabbit. "Who are you?" asked Sweetie Belle.

Rabbity the Rabbit ignored here as he continued to glance at the New Kid and then at the crusaders. He gave the New Kid and innocent smile before continuing, "Well would you look at that, some progress at last! You know I sent out my brainwashed servants to find me a young virgin to deflower as part of my ritual and all they brought was a bunch of flowers, probably stolen from a young virgin, but that's not what I meant." His demeanor broke for a few seconds and the crusaders saw a brief glance of the monster that hid behind the childish face.

"Oh excuse me," said Rabbity once he regained his composure, "I admit there are a some things on my mind that are bothering me, these bunnies are one them,"-he pointed at the mindless bunnies that were standing still-"These bunnies don't just understand a blood orgy, I mean they do understand how to put on an orgy but it's just not the same thing."

Rabbity hopped down from the cardboard box altar he was on and began to slowly skip his way to the New Kid and the crusaders. "But here you come to save the day!" he said with a wide and creepy grin, "You brought not one but three virgins to sacrifice. Even better, you brought me three innocent children. Oh won't Lord Satan ever be pleased." Rabbity the Rabbit pulled out a gold ceremonial dagger, "My dear friend since you are the one that brought these victims, I think it's best if you draw first blood. Then after we sacrifice them, we shall have one of the greatest blood orgies in the name of Satan!"

Scootaloo pulled out her staff and Apple Bloom was wielding her wooden sword. They glanced at the New Kid wondering what he was going to do. Without any hesitation the New Kid took out his mighty Katana from its sheath took his place along Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. It felt good to fling his sword without having protection on it.

"Oh you must side with them?" said Rabbity in disappointment. "Then you bring me no choice then. You must be disciplined!” Rabbit's eyes lit red and the brainwashed bunnies began to chant and formed a circle around the New Kid and the crusaders.

“Ooga chaka ooga ooga …”

“This is your last chance my dear friend!” roared Rabbity, “Hand over those virgins or I shall take them from you!"

The New Kid did not move from his spot next to the crusaders. Then within a blink of eye he vanished with a cloud of smoke. Rabbity stared at the spot where the New Kid was but before he could relive it he felt a sharp pain on his back. He turns around only so see another puff of smoke. Rabbity hissed from pain of the cut. Thought he had to admit this wasn’t the first time he had been sliced by a dagger.

Splat!

Rabbity’s head was bludgeoned by a hard piece of fruit. “Why you,” he said angrily as he wiped pieces of fruit off his face.

Splat! Splat!

He was hit by another apple then a third. The rabbit gave a mighty roar, “You are making me very angry! Stop this and then maybe Lord Satan shall have mercy on your soul!” But before he could issue any more threats he was rammed over by a scooter. He hacked and coughed as he slammed against the hard ground. He never saw the stone coming as he tired got get back up and was knocked out unconscious.

With Rabbity knocked out, his enchantment over the bunnies broke. Sweetie Belle pointed out how the faint glow vanished from their eyes as they returned to normal. Once they came back to their senses, the bunnies began to panic and run around in circles. It was utter chaos as bunnies began running amuck, confused, and without a clue. Sweetie Belle was almost trampled by a stampede of bunnies. Among the chaos the New Kid managed to cut the rope that bound Angel Bunny.

Friend Request
8.Angel Bunny

Angel Bunny whistled loudly over the panic and managed to get all the other bunnies attention. All the other bunnies immediately paid attention to him. Angel Bunny led them out through the tunnel in a somewhat orderly fashion up towards the surface so the bunnies could run around and do whatever it is that bunnies do.

“Well there’s one problem solved,” said Scootaloo. “Let’s get out of here before something else happens.”

They proceeded to the exit, however as the approached the tunnel entrance, a wall of flames sprouted out of nowhere blocking their path. The hooded figure that accompanied Rabbity appeared in front of them with of burst of flames. The figure lowered his hood to reveal at innocent looking gray squirrel wearing a red scarf. It was Squirrely the Squirrel, another of the Woodland Critters. “I’m afraid I can let you leave just know my dear friend,” he said falsely sweet voice.

“I knew it,” grunted Scootaloo.

“Why can’t we ever solve these things peacefully?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Wouldn’t be as fun that way,” said Scootaloo as she pulled her staff. “Come on you stupid squirrel, show us what you got!”

The New Kid knew that Scootaloo had said the wrong thing. At that moment Squirrely the Squirrel’s eyes turned bright scarlet and he began to chant in some dead Roman language. The ground below them began to shake and emit strange light. Bright red ley lines formed on the surface in the shape of the pentagram. Strange writing and symbols formed around the glowing pentagram. Out of the center of the pentagram rose an ash black stand that reeked of burning and decaying flesh, on top of the stand was a fiery and bloody urn.

Squirrely pulled out a gold sacrificial dagger from his robes. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom looked away in disgust as the Satanic Squirrel sliced off his left paw with the dagger. The dagger glowed bright red as it began to absorb blood like a sponge. Squirrely then placed his left paw inside the urn.

A puff a smoke rose from the urn. The urn began to shake violently and cracks began for form all around it. Soon the cracks began to glow as something was emitting a violent light from inside. The urn began to shake even more wildly until finally it exploded into thousands of tiny bits and pieces. The New Kid managed to push Sweetie Belle out of the way of an incoming blast of shrapnel.

There in the center of the faded pentagram, (where the urn once was), appeared what looked like some sort of blanket of fire. It wrapped itself around the Woodland Critter and completely engulfed him. Squirrely showed no sign of pain whatsoever and boasted, “So who’s the stupid squirrel now?”

“That would still be you,” responded Scootaloo.

“Why you,” hissed Squirrely as he clenched tight to the sacrificial dagger. They fiery blanket around him intensified.

“Well you just chopped off your paw,” said Scootaloo, “That’s pretty dumb. Isn’t it Apple Bloom?”

“It’s gross I tell you,” said Apple Bloom, “But yeah that is really dumb.”

“I know that you’re evil and powerful and stuff, but do you really have to hurt yourself?” Sweetie Belle added. “Can’t you be evil and powerful without looking like a freak?”

Squirrely remained silent for a few seconds before coming up with as response, “Well then, if you have nothing nice to say then let’s get down to it, shall we? I assume you are aware in the ways of the ancient traditional fighting system?”

“And what would that be?” said Sweetie Belle.

“You know— you take a turn and then I take a turn. It’s rather standard combat system,” Squirrely explained. “I’ll even give you an advantage. Three of you versus me, that way the lone survivor can see her friends being sacrificed to Lord Satan.”

“That’s not really much different than how we had been fighting,” said Apple Bloom. “Are you sure that this standard fighting system? Seems a bit slow and tedious, what if it your opponent takes five minutes to take their turn?”

“… Just shut up and fight me!” roared Squirrely.

The New Kid opening the battle with a backstab. The blade managed to inflict a bleeding wound on the Woodland Critter. However it did not work as expected. The sacrificial dagger glowed and began to syphon the blood from the wound he inflicted. The fiery aura around Squirrely began to emit more heat into the already stuffy tunnel.

Sweetie Belle had no luck with her fireworks. Her attack was wasted on the Woodland Critter. No point on setting an opponent on fire when they are already covered with flames. Scootaloo managed to inflict damage with her scooter and sling but was irritated with the fact that she didn’t manage to stun the squirrel.

Squirrely’s eyes glowed bright red as he stretched his paw forward and unleashed a massive beam of fire at Scootaloo. Scootaloo managed to just only dodge the attack; the hairs of edge of her tail were slightly smoking.

The New Kid rushed and flailed fiercely with his sword. His sword sliced into the Satan worshiping squirrel. However, every time blood came out pouring out it was absorbed by the sacrificial dagger. The New Kid hated bosses that had some sort of gimmick. They always made the battle drag on. Sweetie Belle’s wand barely did any damage and while Scootaloo’s staff dealt considerably more damage, there was much more to be desired.

The deranged squirrel launched a wave of fire balls. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and the New Kid danced around as they to avoid the flaming balls. Apple Bloom could do nothing but observe the battle from where she was. Scootaloo managed to dodge the fireballs. The New Kid and Sweetie Belle were not as lucky as the former began to run around in circles with her magician’s hat on flames.

“HOT, HOT, HOT!” Sweetie Belle screamed.

“Sweetie Belle, use a potion!” Apple Bloom shouted.

“I got this,” said Scootaloo. She grabbed a water bottle which also served as a magic cure potion and pour its contents all over Sweetie Belle’s head. The flames were extinguished but the hat was in terrible condition.

“Oh no, Rarity is going to kill me,” said Sweetie Belle, “I kind took this hat without permission.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” said Squirrely the Squirrel, “Because I’m the one that’s going to kill you in the name of your lord and savior. Hail Satan!”

“You know,” said Apple Bloom. “I’m starting to think that you have an obsession over this Satan.”

“Nah I think he’s more obsessed with blood and blood orgies,” said Scootaloo.

“Oh so he’s one of those freaks?” asked Sweetie Belle, “Like the one stallion that’s obsessed with tubs of jelly.”

“What’s a blood orgy?” asked Apple Bloom.

“Isn’t that those red oranges?” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“No those are blood oranges ” said Apple Bloom.

“Maybe its fancy talk for blood orange,” said Scootaloo.

“Guess that make sense.”

SWOOSH!

Squirrely the Squirrel hissed in pain. While everyone was distracted with talk about blood oranges, the New Kid used a cure potion and managed to backstab the squirrel without being noticed. The sacrificial dagger again shone bright and began to siphon blood from the wound inflicted. The temperature inside the burrow began to rise.

The New Kid cursed silently; if only he had a thief skill that out would allow him to take the sacrificial dagger away from Squirrely. Sweetie Belle tried her fireworks shower again and it had no effect on the satanic squirrel. Scootaloo unknowingly conjured a scooter and sent it ramming at the squirrel. The scooter crashes against the squirrel and barely managed to move him. The stone that was flung did manage to leave a decent sized bruise though.

Squirrely summoned a wall of fire that acted like a shield to protect him. He then began chanting again and began channeling a spell. The crusaders looked at each other in confusion, they still did not fully understand the combat system and Butters wasn’t around to explain how shields worked.

The New Kid swung his sword fiercely and wildly. Hacking and slashing as hard as could but he only managed to weaken the shield wall. Sweetie Belle swung her wand at the fire wall and it began to crack. Scootaloo managed to smash the shield into pieces with a strong swing of her staff.

Even though the shield was gone, it had managed to do its purpose. Squirrely the Squirrel had finished channeling his spell and suddenly it began to smell like sulfur. The New Kid, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were assaulted by wave of fire and squirrel molten rock. That attack too quick for them to block or dodge and they were all set on fire.

Scootaloo and the New Kid reacted quickly and quickly recovered from the flames with a cure potion. Yet there was problem when it came to Sweetie Belle. “HOT! Hurry up and toss me a potion!” she shouted.

“Uh,” Scootaloo said nervously,”we just ran out of cure potion.”

“What?!” Sweetie Belle screamed in panic, “I’m on fire! DO SOMETHING!”

“Sweetie Belle!” shouted Apple Bloom, “Remember what we learn in school. If you ever catch on fire remember to stop, drop and roll!”

“Are you kidding me?” Sweetie Belle shouted, “Rarity is already going to strangle me for the damage caused to the hat, now you want me to get dirt on the rest my outfit?”

“Well you can just stay on fire then,” said Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle grunted in irritation and began to channel simple spell that would cover her body with dirt. However it’s hard to concentrate on spell when you are on fire and Sweetie Belle overcast the spell and managed to create a rather large of cloud of dust around her. The cloud of dust managed to extinguish the fire and once Sweetie Belle let go of the spell the cloud of dust lunged forward towards Squirrely the Squirrel. The squirrel hissed, the cloud of dust managed to dim the fire around him and his lowered his defense as well. Whatever Sweetie Belle did it was effective against him.

Sweetie Belle has learned a new skill!
Sandstorm
I: Unleash of cloud of dust that lowers the defense of all enemies and also extinguishes fire on the caster.
II: Sandstorm now lowers attack of enemies and deals additional damage.
III: It’s hard to concentrate on a fight when there’s sand in your eyes, Sandstorm now slows down enemies.
IV: Sharp fragments are intermixed with the sandstorm, Sandstorm now reduces armor.
V: Sandstorm now cures all status effects on the caster.

Squirrely hacked and wheezed loudly trying to get rid of the sand caught in his throat. He never saw a brief flash of light before he was sucker punched. While the squirrel was confused, the New Kid managed to steal the ceremonial dagger from him. The dagger pulsed in his hand as if it was alive and he was sure that the dagger was trying to speak to him.

With the dagger out of his possession, the fiery aura around Squirrely for the most part vanished. Scootaloo took advantage of the situation and launched herself at the squirrel and send him flying across the burrow. Squirrely’s eyes grew bright red and he summoned fire with his paws but it was weak compared with the fire he had channeled earlier. Even Sweetie Belle managed to dodge his feeble fireball attack.

The New Kid drank a bottle of soda to restore his power and decided to test out the power of the sacrificial dagger. He creped his way behind Squirrely and stabbed him. The sacrificial dagger pierced into the squirrel’s flesh as if was made of butter. Squirrely collapsed on the floor with the largest stab wound that the New Kid ever inflicted. The sacrificial dagger in the New Kid’s hand vibrated as it began to siphon the blood it came in contact with.

Item Acquired: Sacrificial Dagger
A strange weapon imbued with satanic powers. This dagger can pierce through anything including things like dragon scales and enchanted armor.
”Feed…me…blood…”

“May our lord have mercy upon you,” Squirrely as he laid on the floor bleeding. “I hope when you arrive in Hell that they...” but he never got to finish that sentence for at that moment Sweetie bell had unleashed another cloud of dust and he received a mouthful of dust.

Seeing that the squirrel was vulnerable, Scootaloo did not hesitate to unleash a power attack. She ran to gain momentum and used her staff as a pole vault to launch herself in the air. There was a loud cheer of a crowd going wild as the words ’10.4 gnome feet: Critical Hit!’ appeared in the air. Squirrely the Squirrel was flung like the ragdoll and collided with the wall of the burrow in defeat.

“We’ll shall meet again friend—no, buddy,” he hissed with a mouth full of blood. “We shall meet again when I see you in Hell, buddy.” The squirrel burst into very bright blinding flames that the New Kid and the crusaders had to look away from. After the bright light where the woodland critter was a pile of ash and a single book labeled ‘Antichrist Cookbook’.

There was another flash of light coming from the Crusaders. “Whoa,” said Sweetie Belle as she felt a power surge, “The hat, it’s all fixed like new!”

Scootaloo has leveled up to level 3!
Sweetie Belle has leveled up to level 3!
Apple Bloom has leveled up level 3!

QUEST PROGRESS: “Furry Little Problems”
New Objective: Talk to the flower ponies for your reward.

Item Acquired: Antichrist Cookbook
The book contains a spell to unleash fire and brimstone upon your enemies. However due to its complexity it requires a level fourteen mage.

Location: Changeling Hive, Badlands

There was an intense silence in the conference room. Each changeling there was quiet, still, waiting for what would happen. They were all staring at their queen, conceived that she had gone mad. Though some would argue that she was already mad but none dare to say it out loud. A loud thumping noise was growing louder, like as if a giant beast was approaching them. Then came a deep breathing followed by a loud growl. Some of the changelings began to quiver and shake as they thought that the Grand Wizard was some kind of wild and savage beast like a puma or a tiger.

The doors burst open followed by some intense breathing. The Grand Wizard King entered the room, he was wheezing and coughing. “Don’t you have fucking elevators?” he asked in between breaths.

The changeling officials in the room did not answer. They all stared at the Grand Wizard, his appearance wasn’t frightening nor scary, but the aura that he was giving off was. It was downright monstrous. He took the empty seat that was once Fat Grub’s and laid his wizards staff on the broken table.

“I assume that your stay here is pleasant?” the changeling queen asked in a fairly polite manner. In truth she despised the being in front of her but knew that it wouldn’t be prudent to take action. From what she could gather, she knew that the Grand Wizard was cruel, manipulative, cunning, greedy, and most dangerous of all, he was power hungry.

Ironically, Queen Chrysalis possessed many of those same traits. She was intimidated by the Grand Wizard, though she would deny it, and wanted to get rid of him as soon as she could. She watched as the Grand Wizard adjusted to the chair and pulled out a bag of Cheesy Poofs. The queen was sure that the Grand Wizard was trying to get on her nerves on purpose. He loudly ripped the bag open and noisy stuffed his grubby hands in the bag.

Queen Chrysalis took a deep breath and decided it would be best for her mental health if she got rid of the Grand Wizard as soon as possible. “I assume that your stay has been pleasant, I’m sure that you find your army suitable?” she said in a friendly tone that she forced herself to maintain.

The Grand Wizard King did not answer but rather was more interesting in devouring the Cheesy Poofs. “Yeah, they’re all right,” he said with a mouth full of yellow cheese crumbs. “They shall make a fine addition to my army.”

“Would you please tell me about your kingdom?” the queen continued with her effort to keep her building anger down. “I’ve never heard of this Kingdom of Hooper Meep or whatever, tell me more about your grand wizards.”

“I’m the only wizard,” Cartman responded. “There can only be one. I’m the Grand Wizard of the KKK and there can be no other.”

“I assume by your title,” said the changeling queen, “That you would be the king of wizards or something along the line.”

“No I’m not the king of wizards,” said Cartman how was not getting rather irritated, “I am a king that happens to be a wizard.”

“Yes, yes” said the queen. “My mistake“ -she uttered those words bitterly-“It was rude of me. I am sure that you run a rather magnificent kingdom.” She proceeded with her plan, “I’m sure that you are always looking to expand your throne and influence?”

“What are you proposing?” asked the Grand Wizard with interest.

Queen Chrysalis lit her horn and charts and maps began flying around the room. They were detailed maps and charts of Canterlot and the surrounding area. These are the very same maps that she used to plan her failed invasion and now she was using them to plan another failed invasion. However this time it wouldn’t be her that failed.

“North of here lies the grand city of Canterlot, it is the capital and jewel of Equestria,” Queen Chrysalis said in impressive tone. “Never have I seen a city with so much love and positive energy.”

“That sounds lame,” said Cartman in an unimpressed voice. “Sounds like some made up crap that hippies come up with.”

“What are hippies?”

“They’re a bunch of lazy assholes that don’t do anything except smoke pot, wear crap, and listen to shitty music.”

Queen Chrysalis hissed, she had to use a different angle to persuade the Grand Wizard. Perhaps she could use his greed to her advantage? “Canterlot is also home to magnificent treasury filled with gold and prized jewels piled up high. It’s really a waste, all that wealth and power that it bring just sitting there gathering dust.”

She knew that her gambit had worked, the Grand Wizard was thinking deeply about what she had just said. “Wait a minute; hippies are dirt poor like Kenny. How the hell are they supposed to have a treasury full of gold? It goes against nature. It’s wrong!” He spat out the last word. “IT’S WRONG!”

“Yes,” said Queen Chrysalis, “Canterlot has all this wealth just waiting for some brave warrior or wizard to come conquer and take it.”

The Grand Wizard thought about what the changing queen had said. It was very tempting if the hippie city truly had a large supply of gold then it would be easy pickings. However he couldn’t help but feeling that the queen was setting him up. “Do you like fucking little boys?” he accused the Changeling queen.

“Excuse me?” she responded.

“Do you like fucking little boys?” he repeated “Because that’s what you are doing right now. Do you have a shower? Because I at least want to have the decency to be clean when you fuck me!”

“HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF SUCH THINGS!” roared the Queen Chrysalis. Her patience for the Grand Wizard had snapped. “You come to my hive uninvited, slaughter my creation, and even get an army of my subjects. Even then you remain and ungrateful pile of filth. Take your army and leave!” The changeling queen glared at her advisors and captains, no, former advisors and captains. “And take these with you while you’re at it, maybe they’ll be more use to you.”

The officials stared at their queen in disbelief of what they just heard. None could comprehend the situation with the exception of one. Putukate glared at her former queen with great distaste. If this was how it was going to be then so be it. The other officials began to protest to what the queen had said, some rather loudly.

“SILENCE!” roared Queen Chrysalis, “My patience for all of you wears thinner and thinner with each passing moment. Consider yourselves lucky that you do suffer the same fate as Fat Grub. Éntomo and Insetto, go and send word that I request a squadron of guards at the holding cells. Take this scroll to the changeling in charge. It shall inform them of the situation.” The queen handed the guards a tightly rolled green scroll to which they quickly went off to deliver it. The changeling queen then glared at the Grand Wizard, “You…you, I don’t care what you do with the scum entrusted to you. Go down to the holding cells where your so called army is waiting and take these leeches gathered here with you. You have until this evening to leave The Hive.”

The Grand Wizard left the conference room, not of course without managing to smuggle some maps and diagrams within his robes. The changeling officials all stood in the place, unsure of what to do. It wasn’t until the Grand Wizard unleashed a storm of curses that nearly electrocuted one of them to death that they chose to follow the Grand Wizard without hesitation. The changeling queen was relieved once the Grand Wizard was out of sight. She would have enjoyed the moment of solitude she was given if it wasn’t for one changeling that stayed back and chose not to follow the Grand Wizard King.

“So that’s your plan to solve The Hive’s problems,” Putukate said bitterly. “Do you think that our food supply shortage would go away if there were simply less mouths to feed? This is merely a short term solution and a half assed one I must add.”

Queen Chrysalis did not acknowledge the accusations, she felt no need to. “I always knew that you were a problematic changeling. You always asked too many questions and even now you dare question me. This is the survival of The Hive.”

“We both know that you are condemning these changelings to death!” Putukate roared at her former queen. “You don’t even care about The Hive. You spent more time protecting your own ego. Ever since the failed assault on Canterlot your decisions have been increasing in brashness. Instead of swallowing your pride and negotiating a peace treaty that is practically being handed to you, you put your ego ahead and refuse to even talk with them. Even though The Hive is at the brink of famine!

“Now here comes another fool, another monster, another selfish bastard. Somehow in that convoluted brain of yours, you decide that you can use him to your advantage. You plan send those changelings on a suicide mission with the hope that it would ruin the chance of peace treaty with Equestria. But even that’s not enough, and then when you hear the news you are going to twist the facts in order to paint yourself as a tragic hero in front of the Hive as the poor queen that wanted peace but was denied it.”

“You have a lot of nerve,” hissed Queen Chrysalis, her horn glowing menacing.

“Yes I do!” replied Putukate, “You are a terrible excuse for a changing queen.”

Queen Chrysalis gave a bestial roar as she powerful spell at the direction of the Putukate. Putukate managed to block it and with a fluid motion, almost like an elegant dance. The changeling queen launched more and more spells at the rebel but she kept missing. Putukate dodged left and right as she weaved her way closer and closer to the queen. Once she was close enough, she leapt in the air and gave Queen Chrysalis as massive kick straight at her muzzle.

The changeling queen was launched across the room and Putukate landed gracefully on top of her. “Remember my name, it’s Putukate!” she hissed as she stomped on the queen’s horn. As refreshing it was to hear the grunts of pain coming from the queen, she could not savor the moment long for she could hear group of guards approaching.

Putukate managed to avoid detection and made her way to the exit of the hive. It was still afternoon and the hottest part of the day in the badlands. She spread her wings and flew north. If she was in luck she would manage to reach Canterlot before sunset. She had to warn them of the oncoming attack. She prayed to whatever deity that was listing that her warnings were not taken with a grain of salt. She feared that if this attack were to succeed… it would be best not to think of the consequences.

Location: Hell

Satan was relaxing in the tiki lounge. Ever since the destruction of San Francisco, for the second time, Hell has been experiencing an influx of culture and renovation. Never had the depths of Hell looked as fabulous as they did now, not since the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Those folks really knew how to party.

It was with great displeasure that his relaxation was interrupted by demon messenger. “What is it?” he asked him irritation.

“My lord, we have some issues involving certain woodland critters…” the messenger replied.

“Oh those freaks,” said Satan. “Well just give some magic powers. That always seem to calm down those kinds of weirdos.”

“We have already given them powers,” replied the messenger. “In fact, one of them summoned a portal from another dimension.”

Those last words grabbed Satan’s attention, “They did what? I’m very generous in allowing what they can do with the powers I give them. But playing around with space and time, well that’s when I draw the line. Strip them of the powers and tell them that they are in time out. Maybe when then learn to behave can you give them back their powers. Now if you excuse me, I have a pedicure appointment in twenty minutes.”