//------------------------------// // Slayer of Beasts // Story: Consorting Strength // by Holocron //------------------------------// The walk up the mountain was what Bucephalus needed to formulate a plan; and to ponder over what was happening. He was thankful that Rainbow Dash was acting as his guide, he took quick note of how she was gliding more than flapping her wings due to her previous encounter. Bucephalus smiled in gratitude that he was able to meet another pony who showed courage and determination. Helestia may have been right about his journey, but for now, Bucephalus had to focus. 'What are Harpies doing here?!' Bucephalus thought to himself, keeping one eye on Rainbow, and another on the skies. 'I know they usually travel a far distance, but to cross the sea like this...it's beyond unheard of. Are they looking for me? Impossible, even if one saw me leaving Manedonia, they would still have needed a ship to rest on during their flight.' "Rainbow Dash?" "Yeah?" Rainbow responded, gliding downwards towards Bucephalus so she doesn't stress her wings too much. "What's up?" "You're sure what you saw was a Harpy?" Bucephalus asked, wanting to be sure. "I don't know what a Harpy really is, but I know what I saw." Rainbow responded. "How about I do this." Rainbow started to trace her hoof over the dirt along the path, creating a sort of drawing. After a couple minutes, Rainbow finished her drawing. "This is what attacked me." The drawing was primitive, at best, but it showed a slender, erect torso, primate-like head with a small beak, large talons on long legs, and large wings over the thin arms. There was no doubt in Bucephalus's mind; this was a Harpie. His thoughts were then met with a old memory of the last time he engaged against Harpies: The sound of screeches filled the cavern, along the wet sound of splattering blood, and the grunting noise of Bucephalus thrusting his spear into the next Harpy. Though the skewed beast tried to pull free, but Bucephalus only quickly pulled the spear free, to deliver a firm swing against the Harpy's head, silencing the creature. Panting at the exhaustion he was feeling Bucephalus looked around the cave for more Harpies. Seeing none, Bucephalus decided to take a breath. But within that moment, he felt his breath being cut and gasped, spear dropping as he was slammed against the wall. He turned, his eyes opening wide as he saw his attacker. "You're one foolish pony." Erinyes grinned, fresh blood still dripping from her teeth; she had just fed. "You've killed many of my daughters. I shall feast on your flesh." "You'll have to work for your meal." Bucephalus smirked as he saw his dropped spear being lifted by another stallion. Erinyes couldn't finish her chuckle before feeling the sharp pain of the spear stabbed through her arm, forcing her to release her grip on Bucephalus's neck. Seeing his opportunity, Bucephalus cocked back and delivered a firm punch of his hoof to Erinyes's jaw; breaking a few of her fangs in the process. Erinyes let out a loud screech as she disengaged from her enemies. Seeing as she could not face both ponies alone, Erinyes made a run for the cave entrance. Bucephalus tried to stop her, but his legs gave out, revealing a deep gash on his calf. Choosing to ignore Erinyes's escape, the pony, who was covered in bronze armor and crimson clothes, ran to Bucephalus. "Bucephalus? Are you okay?" The pony, whose voice revealed he was a stallion, asked. "I meant to arrive faster, but those creatures slowed me." "It's fine." Bucephalus commented. "We'll get Erinyes another time. We were at least able to save our southern outpost from those Harpies. Thank you again for the aid, Alexander." 'If only we had chased after her.' Bucephalus cursed himself; his mind returning to where he was, and the scar along his calf started aching a little. 'If Erinyes is involved in this, I'll kill her.' "Rainbow Dash? How much farther?" "We should be there soon." Rainbow said, lowering herself by Bucephalus's side. "We don't want to scare them off too soon. So we should stay low." "Scare them off?" Bucephalus held back a chuckle. "It's rare to see such boldness, even in my country. You are a brave one Rainbow Dash." "Well those...things...took some of my feathers." Rainbow commented, showing a few feathers were missing from her wings. "I wanna get them back for ever one of them." "You are a brave one indeed." Bucephalus chuckled to himself, keeping his wits about him, he knew this was going to be a difficult challenge. Last time he faced Harpies, he had Alexander as backup and his spear. But this time, he was armed only with his own strength and this Pegasus mare as his support. 'I do hope there is some force under that confidence.' Is what Bucephalus thought as he saw the massive cave entrance approaching. The mouth of the cave was larger than expected. Large enough for a dragon to easily come and go as it pleased. Hopefully the dragon returned and it had already killed the Harpies. but such luck is often not possible. Keeping an eye on the skies, Bucephalus saw no shadows of Harpies, not even a lone scout. Though there wasn't even a cloud in the sky to provide the creatures with cover, and with how the rocks were formed around the cave entrance, there were little places to hide behind. This would be a straight on collision battle. "I'll go in first." Bucephalus said, mental prepared for battle. "When I shout to you, you are to run." "Run?! No!" Rainbow objected. "I got some pay back to give those creeps." "I admire your courage Rainbow Dash, but Harpies are too much for you to handle." Bucephalus said. "I've faced them before, I can do it again." "With what? Just your hooves?" Rainbow asked, seeing that Bucephalus was unarmed. "These hooves are enough." Bucephalus commented. 'Just so long as Erinyes is not among them.' "Just follow my plan, I won't be long." As much as Rainbow wanted to argue, the tingling where some of her feathers once were reminded her that Bucephalus was right; these Harpies were tougher than Rainbow could handle, even with Bucephalus. Reluctantly, Rainbow took cover behind one of the rocks. They were too small for a stallion of Bucephalus's size, but hid a mare of Rainbow's size perfectly. Now that Rainbow was secure and hidden, Bucephalus took a deep breath, and entered the cave. The cave was not as dark as the last one he ventured in, it was in fact the largest, mobility wouldn't be an issue for him; but unfortunately, the Harpies have better mobility in here too. The dark of the cave proved no great challenge for Bucephalus, his senses were sharp; he could hear the Harpies in the distance. 'Three...no four a few yards forward.' Bucephalus thought, listening to every sound he could take in, slowing his heart to not distract him. 'I don't hear the vulgar rasping that Erinyes would be doing. Maybe these are just some strays? I'll still need to proceed carefully.' In an instant, Bucephalus jumped to the side, pressing his shoulder against the rock wall; but in doing so, he avoided the claw of an incoming Harpy. Nerve signals fired through his body, blood boiled, pupils dilated, Bucephalus was instantly ready for battle. The attacking Harpy stopped to turn, giving Bucephalus a second of opportunity to leap from the rock wall, driving his large hoof hard against the Harpy's back. The impact was too light to break the creature's back, but strong enough to cripple it's left shoulder blade, causing the Harpy to howl in pain as it crashed to the cave floor. "Why are Harpies in this land?" Bucephalus demanded, stamping his strong hoof on the downed Harpy's crippled should. "Tell me or I break the other one!" "Alright. Alright!" The Harpy hissed in anger and pain. "We were brought here." "Brought you? Who brought you here!?" Bucephalus pressed his hoof hard against the sore bone. The Harpy wriggled vainly but Bucephalus's grip was strong. He tightened it, and repeated. "Tel me!" "I did." Bucephalus's skin crawled at the vulgar hissing that could only come from one Harpy...Erinyes. "Erinyes." Bucephalus felt his stomach churn just by uttering her name. What brings you and your ilk here?" "Well." Erinyes explained, making sure her large frame and the half dozen Harpies behind Bucephalus revealed themselves, blocking his escape. "After you and your king destroyed our home, we needed a new nest. And this land is quite fascinating." Erinyes licked her fang filled beak as she drooled. "Wide skies, high mountains, and easy to access prey. We will begin feeding on the local town. But not before we feast on you Bucephalus." "Try me you beast." Bucephalus cursed, lifting his hoof, only to bring it smashing down on the Harpy's head, crushing the skull under his hoof. "You'll pay for that with ever drop of blood, every pound of flesh." Erinyes spit her hatred at Bucephalus, as she ordered her Harpies to attack. Three Harpies flew at Bucephalus with speed and force. Bucephalus couldn't hope to match their speed, but found a better solution. Just before the first Harpy's fangs and talons could reach him, Bucephalus lifted himself on his rear hooves, then slammed his forehooves down on the Harpy's chest; a sound of cracking rips echoed slightly through the cave. But Bucephalus's move cost him, both his shoulders took a slash from the other two Harpies. Thankfully the cuts were shallow and little blood was spilling. "You're outside your element beast." Bucephalus taunted, trying to get Erinyes deeper into the cave; if he could, then her large wings would be a liability. "Luring me into a cave was your last mistake." "Is it?" Erinyes laughed in her blood curtailing voice. "We came prepared for you." The sudden sound of fluttering wings brought Bucephalus's head behind him; just in time to feel the tiny claws of Harpy fledglings claw at his face. Thankfully, only a few hairs and some skin from his forehead was torn. Not having enough time to survey his surroundings better, Bucephalus quickly found he was surrounded by over a dozen fledglings. Because they were near half the size of a grown Harpy, these fledglings were able to effortlessly fly through and around the cave without worry. Bucephalus was only fortunate enough that the fledglings were not yet skilled enough in flight to strike at Bucephalus's vital areas. "Using fledglings to fight your battles now?" Bucepahlus called towards the Harpy Queen. "I never knew you Harpies were so cowardly." "What you call cowardly, we call strategy." Erinyes, who took advantage of Bucephalus being confined, and his movements was now limited; this allowed her to walk closer to her prey. Because the fledglings prevented him from moving. Her large talon pushed through the small swarm of fledglings, gripping at Bucephalus's throat. The impact pushed him against the stone walls, cracking it, and the tips of her claws dug into his neck. "I just needed them to keep you still." Bucephalus tried to punch his hoof at Erinyes's talon, but one of the three previous Harpies was able to grab his hoof, pressing it against the wall. A second Harpy grabbed his other forehoof. Bucephalus was no pinned. "I'm going to kill you Bucephalus." Erinyes's voice was filled with a gluttonous delight. "Then your carcass will feed my flock." Bucephalus Struggled to free himself but he was completely pined. His rear hooves couldn't deliver a strong enough kick to break Erinyes's grip, and the other Harpies were holding down his forehooves too tight. Erinyes reared up her mouth, her fang filled beak was drooling with the anticipation for her meal. Not wanting to let her meal wait any longer, Erinyes swung down her head. But just an inch away from Bucephalus's face, Erinyes felt the sudden impact of a large rock striking the side of her head. The strike was enough to throw the massive Harpy off her guard, her talon freed Bucephalus and the large stallion wasted no time to rip his hooves free of the harpy's grips; throwing them against the wall. "Who dares?!" Erinyes looked towards the cave entrance to see Rainbow Dash. "A mere Pegasus?!" "Come and get it ugly!" Rainbow taunted, spreading her wings to take off away from the cave. "Bring me her bones and flesh!" Erinyes cried out, sending every available Harpy she could after Rainbow Dash. "And as for yo-" Erinyes's words were cut off by the send breaking and snapping sound of Bucephalus taking one of her arms in his mouth. With only the strength of his jaw and teeth, Bucephalus bit down on Erinyes's arm, tearing flesh, spilling blood, and more effectively snapping her bird-bones. Erinyes howled in pain and spit anger and hatred throughout the cave, her one free claw and talons thrashed about, trying to tear at her enemy; but Bucephalus now had the upper hand, and he aimed to keep it that way. Realizing that he had to save Rainbow Dash, Bucephalus had to release his grip on Erinyes's arm. But because her arm was now useless for flight, Bucephalus the galloped towards the entrance of the cave. "Are you fleeing from me Bucephalus?" Erinyes called to the stallion, her words stopping him dead in his tracks. "Here is your opportunity to fell me, the glory of slaying me should be enough to bring "strength" to your country." Erinyes's words rang through Bucephalus's mind. She was right; with her death, his journey could be over. Taking a deep breath, Bucephalus turned towards the Harpy Queen. The sudden cry of Rainbow Dash, as if the Harpies have caught up with her woke Bucephalus from his thoughts. "Things don't look too good for her. So what's it going to be? My death and your glory, or her life and your weakness?" "There's more to strength than mere glory." Bucephalus then turned to the cave mouth and galloped out as fast as he could to find Rainbow Dash. Making it out of the cave, Bucephalus searched the skies for Rainbow. There was no way her wings could've recovered enough to out fly those Harpies. Bucephalus only knew that Rainbow Dash was on borrowed time. The sudden sound of Harpy screeches brought his attention to a southern portion of the sky. Looking, Bucephalus saw Rainbow and less than a dozen Harpies were still after her. But amidst her swift flying, Bucephalus could see the red cuts along her blue body. "Rainbow Dash! Bring them over this way!" Bucephalus called out to the mare, as he set himself up behind a large rock. Rainbow Dash heard Bucephalus's order and turned herself to fly back to the cave. Bucephalus reared his hooves against the rock, his muscles tensing with pressure. What happened next only lasted a mere two seconds, but to Bucephalus, it might have been minutes. Within the first second, Rainbow Dash flew past the rock but within the following second, Bucephalus bucked at the rock, breaking it from the ground and smashing it against the numerous Harpies; forcing them, back into the cave, with the rock somewhat blocking the entrance. "Let's go!" Bucephalus called to Rainbow Dash as he turned towards the town and started to run down the path towards Ponyville. "But we had them!" Rainbow objected to the retreat, her wings acting more as glides than flying. "No!" Bucephalus said, continuing his gallop. "That rock is not enough to hold back Erinyes for too long. We must return to Ponyville and gather more forces to slay that beast." "Alright." Rainbow said. But her wings suddenly felt heavy, and her vision was becoming blurry. "Rainbow Dash!" Bucephalus calls, seeing his companion fall from the sky. Thankfully, he was able to catch her, setting her on his back. After a quick look over, Bucephalus made his conclusion. 'She's a strong willed one, any other pony would have passed from blood lost far before this one. I got to get back to Ponyville before she bleeds out!' Even with Bucephalus galloping at full speed, it was still a few short hours before he returned to Ponyville, but in the meantime, Antenor had fully handed on the outskirts of Ponyville, docking his ship close to Bucephalus's but far enough where he wouldn't be discovered for a while. It was by sheer misfortune that Antenor arrived only an hour after Bucephalus fled. All that Antenor found was the cave entrance and a near cracked in half rock. "It seems you failed, Erinyes." Antenor commented into the large crack, only to hear the high pitched growls of the Harpy. "No!" Erinyes cried, using some of the lasts of her strength to fully break the rock, freeing herself. Antenor made a quick note, seeing that Erinyes was not only severely injured, but was the only Harpy left. Erinyes crawled and limped as best she could from the cave entrance, her body was covered in still bleeding cuts and bruises from her confrontation with Bucephalus. "That pony dare slay my children, I shall have his flesh for my next meal." Looking off into the distance at where Ponyville was, Erinyes smiled. "And I know where he has fled to." "That small town?" Antenor asked, looking off to see Ponyville. "I can reach it in a few hours." Looking back at Erinyes, Antenor contemplated his next steps carefully. 'Erinyes is too badly injured to face Bucephalus. From what father has said, Bucephalus is one of the strongest in the country. But if I were to earn his trust.' Antenor felt the cold handle of his dagger on his belt. 'I could move in for the kill with ease.' "I am sorry Erinyes." Antenor drew his blade, a strange substance seemed to drip from the blade. His teeth bit hard to keep the dagger in place, and keep the substance out of his mouth; with his next words nearly a mumble. "But your presence will no longer be need. Slaying you will earn me the glory to get in Bucephalus's favor." "You traitorous vermin!" Erinyes growled, spreading her wings as best she could to intimidate Antenor. Both Erinyes and Antenor could hear broken and fractured bones cracking and muscles slowly tearing. "I will not be taken down. Not by Bucephalus, and certain;y, not by you!"