Ponyville, a place where all three races have live together in peace and harmony. The kids are running around, doing their outdoor activities. The older ponies began to take walks, looking for supplies to buy, and hanging out with their friends.
One such Stallion who was not from around here, enter the town with a soft looking smile. “It feels very peaceful.” He was green unicorn, having a blond mane and tail with a cap, cape, and a guitar that is just on his back. The stallion being to walk in between the district, taking a look of other ponies doing their activities.
He stop in place, feeling something that touch him. He looked down and it was a ball. The stallion horn glow, grabbing the ball in a field of magic.
“Hey!” He turn, seeing a little colt just behind him. “Could I get it back please.”
He couldn’t help but made a soft chuckle. He gently laid the ball in front of him, “there you go.”
The little colt gave the brightest smile, “thank you mister.”
He chuckled, “call me Puzzle Piece.”
The colt headed back to his friends.
“Ah how I love the youth,” Puzzle tips his hat and continue on his way.
It wasn’t too long before his stomach started to grumble. “Oh... Seems all that traveling has make me hungry.” He took a quick glance, noticing a hey burger joint just from where he stand. “Might as well get myself some horse shoe onion bits.”
Before he could step foot, a sudden burst of noise surprise him. He turned around and spotted the smoke at dragon's mountain. He scratches his mane, “what cause that noise over there?”
“GET THEM!” A blue Unicorn stallion with gray mane in a black suit shouted.
Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Imp charge in a straight line as the other stallions bring out their staffs and attack.
Sweetie Belle launch her mic right around one of the pegasi wings, pulling him in. Scootaloo jumps over her and gives a wheelie flip, making him fly with the pain he suffer.
Bloom summons her trusty hammer as she collides with one of the staffs. With her focus on blocking the attack, A few sneak up behind her without noticing.
But in a single flash, A Yo-Yo knocks their teeth out. Imp took position, covering her from behind as three more took their place. With his Yo-Yo, he blocks the attacks launched at him with every swing hitting at the same speed. Imp caught a opening and makes his move. With three single strikes, he knocks them out.
Applebloom pushes the stallion back and gives him a hard bop to the head. His eyes sways around before falling flat on his face.
The four surround all the stallions laid down on the ground.
The Unicorn leader isn’t really to happy, “Uhh…” After an awkward look, he teleports himself out of there.
Scootaloo runned up to the burn marks, “darn it! He got away.”
Imp let out a small sigh. “It looks like we have to go search for him.”
“Why bother?” Sweetie Belle walked in front of him, “I don’t think he could be a threat anymore.”
Applebloom kicks one of the unconscious stallions, “besides we need to get out of here before the guards shows up and sees us.”
Scootaloo took a glance at the wreckage of the machine, “plus we manage to stop whatever that machine was so why don’t we celebrate by going to sugar cube corner!”
“I would sure go for a milkshake so what do you say Imp?” Applebloom gives him a small tap on the noggin.
He looked away, hiding his red cheeks. “I guess I am parch so let's go.”
The three cheered as they dragged him off of the mountain. Right as they’ve left the scene, the unicorn leader return. Seeing all the wreckage and stallions on the ground only made him feel very unhappy.
“Ugh...I was suppose to bring this back to Warp for his use.” He took a deep breath, “No matter. Maybe I should focus on something else.” He turned his head, seeing a glimpse of the town down below. “Maybe I could give them a visit.”
Around sugar cube corner, our crusaders enter the door steps as they smell the sweet aroma surrounding the place. The four sat at the nearest table, with Mrs.Cake standing right next to them.
“Can I get you anything?” She ask, having a welcoming tone in her voice.
“All milkshakes please!” Scootaloo said with excitement.
She smiled before heading off.
“Well isn’t that another day of fun action!” Scootaloo laids back on her seat. “But it’s nice to just laid back for a job well done.”
Applebloom smiled deeply, “you got that right partner.”
“I don’t know to be honest.” Imp looks behind, seeing the view thru the window. “I am kinda worried right now.”
Scootaloo snickered a bit. “oh you need to relax Imp so stop being such a worry wart.”
“Besides what harm can that unicorn could do,” Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but giggle. “Beside he has to go threw us again and you know how that will end.”
“Alright kiddies, you’re milkshakes have arrived!” Mrs.Cake laid them right on the table. “Enjoy!”
“Alright!” The three grab their milkshakes and chugs them down.
Imp grabbed his but wasn’t too ecstatic like the others. He slowly drinks his milkshake until something caught within his eyesight. His eyes widen as his jaw dropped on the table.
The same unicorn from before is in the property of sugar cube corner.
“Umm...Guys…” Imp attempted to get the girls attention. Unfortunately they’re too busy with their drinks. Imp took another glance, seeing the unicorn walking towards them. “GUYS!”
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle dropped their milkshake while Scootaloo accidentally threw it up in the air and landed right on head.
All the sticky sweet goodness drips from her head down to her face. “I really am enjoying my shake there..”
“Well hello there little ones,” The unicorn greeted the 4 with a smile.
Applebloom mouth open wide, “wait aren’t you-” Imp covered her mouth.
Imp calmed himself as he face the unicorn, “ummm can we help you mister?”
“Oh I should introduce myself,” he coughed a bit. “My name is Freckle Crackle.”
With a single mention of his name, Scootaloo bursted out laughing that she falled out of her seat.
Freckle didn’t took it so lightly, “I have you know that I’m a very respected Stallion where I work with!”
“Uhh…” Sweetie Belle was a little lost, “I’m sure she doesn’t mean it.”
“What do you even want?” Applebloom dismissively ask.
Freckle quickly picked up her tone rather easily, “well missy, I’m looking for certain fillies who happen to cause a lot of trouble and I thought I show them some discipline.”
The four of them quietly gasp.
“Uhh...Sorry I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Scootaloo looked both way, pushing her mouth back.
Freckle giggled, “oh you're hiding something little ones. You think i wouldn’t tell when you looked both ways and push you mouth back like that?”
“Oh you gotta be kidding me!” Imp teeth shuted together.
“So speak!” Freckle slammed his hooves on the table.
The three stood there, unable to move as ponies watches the events unfold.
“This is bad...really bad…” Imp couldn’t even think of anything that could help him.
“HEY!” Suddenly everybody focus their attention at the entrance, where a green unicorn stands. “Do you have problem there sir?”
Freckle gets his hooves off the table, letting out a long breath. “As a matter fact, I do because these brats are holding something from me that I would like to know.”
The green unicorn to a quick glance at them, “Are you sure about that Mr?”
“Call me Freckle” he put out his hoof.
“Puzzle Piece,” The two shaked each other's hooves. “So what are the fillies hiding from you?”
He gave a little smirk, “well let's just say they know something that might help me on my search.” He glance back with a fiery look “I’m not gonna leave till they spill the beans.”
Puzzle really didn’t like his attitude. “I think you’re a little harsh to them don’t you think?”
Freckle’s teeth close shut as his eyes twitch, “I don’t like it when ponies keep info away from me, especially when it's brats like them!”
He let out a long sigh, “how about we make a deal then? I get them talking threw my methods and I’ll bring them to you when they are ready to confess.” A wide smile forms on his face.
“Hmmm…” he pouted, “Fine but remember this, you don’t know what you’re dealing with.” With that, he headed off.
Puzzle walked up to their table and sat down on the available seat.
“We are not telling you anything!” Scootaloo quickly jumped to the defence.
The three face desk.
Puzzle laughed out loud, “oh don’t you worry there little ones. I’m not gonna let that bad stallion hurt ya.”
“So...you're not interrogating us?” Scootaloo tilted his head.
Puzzle nodded, “of course.”
Imp let out a quick sigh, “thank you Puzzle. You kinda saved us from doing something rational.”
He giggled, “well whatever you’re hiding from him, I’m sure it's for the good reasons.” His eyes glance at the mess, “ummm would you like another batch of milkshakes?” Puzzle puts the bits on the table. “I’ll buy.”
The four of them nodded. What followed was a long relaxation time with all five of them enjoying their sweet milkshakes. As they finish, the five exit the place as they’re satisfied with the taste of sweetness.
“I always love the sweet taste in my mouth,” Sweetie Belle rub her cheeks as a smile begins to form.
Puzzle smiled, “I’m glad you enjoy your drinks over there.”
“Well thank you for you time Puzzle,” Imp turned away from him. “We will be going our seperate ways for now on.”
“Umm wait!” Imp face back at Puzzle, “I was kinda wondering if you 4 would like to give me a tour around ponyville? Thought I get to the know the place a little bit before I leave on my merry way.”
“Oh that sounds like a great idea,” Sweetie Belle smiled at such thought.
Imp however is not very please with it himself. “We could offer that if we weren't being hunted by that unicorn.”
Puzzle smirked, “oh please! I handled with ponies like him before. You’ll be fine as long as you’re with me.” He ended it with a smile.
“Ummm mister...I don’t think it would be such a good idea to hang out with us,” his upper eyelids lower, having a frown look on his face. “So I think you should go.”
Puzzle’s only response was a sad look.
“Hey Puzzle!” Applebloom hops right in front of him. “Of course we will take you on a tour!”
Puzzle’s feeling soon became more joyful than ever, “why thank you!”
“You guys!” Imp clamped his teeth together, having his eyes twitch, “do you forgot what happened today?”
Scootaloo smirked, “don’t worry about it Imp. Besides the next time he won’t be so lucky!” She slammed both hooves together.
Sweetie Belle grabbed Puzzle by the cape, “well let’s begin the tour mister!”
The five head off as they begin to show him some memorable landmarks.
The first locale that they have taken them was the food market area. The four showed Puzzle all the produce that is being sold at very cheap prices.
Puzzle heads up to one of the fruits venders, offering some tomatoes for one bit. “Oh these look very delicious.”
“Take a bite if you want?” Sweetie Belle suggested.
With a single bit, Puzzle cheeks burned like a hot summer day. “These are amazing!”
“Hey!” The vender who was a white female earth pony with a light brown mane, wearing a green vender shirt and white capt was very displeased at him. “Aren't ya gonna pay for those?” She pointed at the sign right behind her, showing tomatoes with the number 1 next to them.
Puzzle brings out a bit under his hat, tossing it to the vender.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!” Suddenly a commotion started to rise. The five turned around, to see a Orange Mare with a blue beautiful mane talking to a Male brown earth pony with a go T and sports cap. “Why 20 bits for a single cherry! You are ripping me off!”
“Well ma'am….With all do respect, this is the last cherry I have and if I say it’s 20 bits, It’s 20 bits!” The vender wasn’t going to change his mind anytime soon.
The orange mare let out a long sigh, “I’ll guess I come here another time.”
But out of nowhere, Puzzle laid down 15 bits on the vendor's table. “Ma’am, would you kindly put some bits here?”
“Oh right!” The orange mare quickly put the remaining bits on the table.
Puzzle looked at vender with a bright smile, “I would like the cherry please.”
The vender let out a sigh, “take it.”
Puzzle places the cherry in her bag, “hope whatever you’re making will be worth it Ma’am.”
“Oh thank you mister, Now the sundae I planned to make for me and my friends will go as planned.” Her joyful attitude is through the roof, “thank you so much mister!” She sprinted off.
Puzzle tipped his hat, “now let's continue with our tour shall we?”
The five headed to the library. As they stand in the front door, Twilight soon came out in their sight.
“Oh hey you four,” She greeted them properly before catching wind of the stallion behind them. “Oh and who might you be?”
“Aloud me to introduce myself,” he properly adjust himself. “My name is Puzzle.”
Twilight smiled, “hello Puzzle. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Sparkle as I like to check out this library you have here.” He glance at the tree, looking very curious.
Twilight let out a small squee, “well why don’t I show you then.”
The rest followed Twilight right in, witnessing Spike coming down the stairs with a stack of books.
“Ahh Spike, you can just in time.”
Spike quickly place the stack on the table, “you really should’ve of put these books back last night you know.” He laid himself on the wall, letting his breath out of control.
Twilight walks up to spike, “well how about we go get yourself some lemonade later?”
Spike struggled to hold a smile, “I would sure like that.”
Puzzle laid out his hoof in front of Spike, “you need help there?”
Spike grabbed his hoof as she properly stance for introduction, “you must be Puzzle as i heard when coming down the stairs.”
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet ya Spike,” he let out a soft giggle. “I have seens a few dragons on my travels but you’re the first one who seems to be more self mature than the ones I met.”
He awkwardly shrugged, “ya...not really a good thing but just keep in mind not all follow the dragon’s way of life.”
Puzzle’s attention quickly diverge to the books. “You have quite a collection here Ms. Sparkle.”
“Why yes Puzzle,” Twilight smiled. “If there is anything you need, I am here to help.”
“Well isn’t he a charmer,” Sweetie Belle smirk at such thought.
Imp walked up to the books. He grabbed the one on the bottom without much problems. “What is this one?” With a single blow, the dust quickly came off. The cover of book shows a pony with medieval attire and a flute as he dance around with mice.
Puzzle took a look, letting out a gasp. “Is that what I think it is!?” A magic aura surrounds the book as it comes to him. “It has been so long as I read this book!”
“Oh so you read the Pipe piper?” Twilight asked.
“Of course!” Puzzle opened the book, showing a picture of the Piper leading the rats out of the city. “I read this book countless times when I was just a little colt myself.” Puzzle glance at everyone, “would anybody like me to read a few?”
“I wouldn’t mind that,” Twilight quickly applied.
The rest of them nodded.
Puzzle sat down as he begins to read the book. The fillies laid down on the floor and listen to the story they are about to hear.
As the sun set began to arise, the rest quickly took notice.
“Oh it's getting late!” Puzzle let out gasp, “you fillies should go home now!”
Imp let out a sigh of relief, “yes we should!”
“Awww,” The three simultaneously said out loud.
Imp eyes twitched out of control, “you do realize that we are under a tight scedule right!”
“Funny...that is what I’m gonna say as well.”
Imp slowly turns around, only to see Freckle along with a few stallions behind his back.
The five quickly panicked. The fillies didn’t knew what to do at this moment.
“Well let's get to business shall we?” Freckle push his bow tie up. “Now if you would so kindly give me the names of these fillies I’m looking for, I would be very happy to not use force.”
“Dang!” Imp’s breath went out of control.
Puzzle quickly steps in front of them, “you think I’m just gonna allowed that?”
“Come on!” Imp loudly whispered, “let's get out of sight!”
“But we can’t just leave him!?” Scootaloo shouted.
Imp covered her mouth, “we are not abandoning him so come on!”
The four of them attempted to escape, only to be bumped in by a few stallions blocking the way. With there only path being close off, it seems they’ve have no choice.
Imp quickly laid his tails on his cutie mark. Before he could shout the command, suddenly ponies started to come out of their homes. “Ugh not now!”
“So how is this going to be then?” Freckle prepares to look casually for the potential crowd.
With the crowd coming close, the others started to wonder if it's worth the possible risk.
“Take me instead…” Puzzle face at Freckle, “I know everything that you need to know. So please take me.”
The four couldn't believe what they are seeing.
Freckle let out a deep sigh. “well since you offered, I might as well take you into my custody but first…”
The stallion grabbed a bag and scooped up the fillies inside. The four struggled as it was knotted shut.
Puzzle couldn’t even fathom what he was witnessing.
“We just don’t want any loose ends.so to speak,” Freckle let out a soft minacilly laugh.
A group of stallions carried the fillies right inside to the everfree forest. Once they reach the middle of the road, They untied the knot, letting the fillies out. One of them pulled a rope out of his satchel and begins to tied them up around their hooves all together. All of them laugh for a moment before heading out of the premises.
The four struggled which only led them to being rolling out everywhere.
“STOP!” Imp shouted as they stop in place. “Ok...Let's calm down and think rationally!”
As they stay silent, a howl can be heard across the forest. It wasn’t just one but more being heard as the full moon begins to appear.
Applebloom took a big gulp, “I don’t think we have time for that…”
Sweetie Belle’s horn glowed, causing sparks to fly off. The aura began to surround the rope. Before it could reach around, she was already tired at this point. She laid her head on the ground as the magic wither away. “Ugh! I still can’t perfect this!”
The howls continue to get louder and closer.
“Well we need to think of something before nature comes in and teach us how we can be a editable source!” Scootaloo shouted, taking a quick glance around.
Imp eyes bounce around. He quickly notice a branch with a sharp hook like tip. “Guys! roll down to the left just a few feet from here!”
The three followed his command, only with mix results. They ended up rolling down everywhere, causing headaches and dizziness.
“Ugh!” Imp had enough, “let me do this!” he slowly rolled around, able to to reach to the shark branch as it is able to stick by the rope. “GOT IT!” He began to swift up and down, ripping the rope string by string.
During this, Sweetie Belle took a glance behind her. What she saw was not something she wanted to see. “Can we hurry up…Nature just invited their friends…”
The rest panic. Scootaloo and Applebloom help Imp which gives a faster pace on cutting the rape. It wasn’t long till more Pairs of glowing green eyes appear from the dark parts of the forest around them.
“Hurry!” Sweetie Belle shouted, joining in on the help.
The Timberwolves stepped out of the shadows, making loud growls as they surround the fillies with no way of escaping.
“Almost done!” Imp sweated frequently.
The rope was close to ripping apart. But one of the Timberwolves made their chance to strike.
Puzzle as well as Freckles and his stallions headed to dragon mountain where it all started. The group took a stop right at the corner turn of the pathway.
Puzzle took quick glance, unable to hold back the food he ate today. “Umm...So is this gonna be where I have to spill the beans now?”
Freckle laugh, “of course! Unless you don’t want to be in some accident then I suggest you tell us.”
“A part of me wishes I took classes to perfect my spells,” Puzzle whispered quietly to himself.
“Well?” He tapped his hoof, “are you gonna tell us?”
Puzzle took a look back, “well it seems that I have no choice then.” He pulls out a weapon out of his cape. It had a hard rubber holder with a sharp metal blade sticking out. He quickly turn around and charge at them.
“What is that!?” One of the stallions shouted.
Freckle smile as he engage in combat. Puzzle took a swing with every chance he got. However he was able to dodge every single one of them. It was long till he grab his hoof, making him drop the small metal blade.
“Oh you poor thing,” he giggled a bit. “you think I don’t know what a knife is when I see one?”
Puzzles eyes widen as a sweat drop down on the left side of the face, “how did you know about-”
“The forbidden weapons?” Freckled made a smirk, “I knew them when I was a little fillie myself.” He picks up the knife with his magic, “plus I notice you are holding it wrong. Like you’re trying to knock me out rather than kill me...How about I show ya how it’s done!”
Puzzle couldn’t get out of his grasp. “Dang it!”
Freckle to a swing, only to have the knife knock out of his position by a Yo-Yo
He turned to the direction where it came from, seeing the fillies with armor that he was looking for.
“If you know what is good for ya, you might want to let him go!” Imp prepares himself, pulling his Yo-Yo back.
“Just as I want it,” Freckle face to his Stallions. “Go get them now!”
“Uhh…” All of them began to shivered down their spine. “I’m not doing this again!” One of them shouted. “Let's get out of here!” All of them headed down from the mountain as none of them turn back.
Freckle’s eyes twitches, “I guess I shouldn't rely on them…”
Puzzle quickly knocked him out of his grasp. He grabbed his knife, proceeding to strike around his knee area. “That should put you down.”
Freckle falled down to the ground, unable to stand. “UGH! What did you do to me!” His hooves won’t pick themselves up.
He put away his knife, “I just knocked out your nerves. You’ll be able to walk later once I turn you in.”
Freckle didn’t said a single word. He laid his head down, taking a long sigh.
“Hey i would like to thank-” As Puzzle turned around, the armor fillies were gone. “Guess they have somewhere to be.”
It is the next morning, The Cutie Mark crusaders headed to Sugarcube Corner on a school afternoon. The Four sit at the same table as before.
“Well that should be the end of him,” Scootaloo laid herself back.
“Still, I don’t think leaving Puzzle like that was anything but rude.” Sweetie Belle Sighed.
Imp snarled a bit, “I think it might be best for him to not know any more of this. We almost put a life in danger because of it.”
“I guess so,” Applebloom looked down on herself.
The four wait patiently for Mrs,Cake but instead, somepony else came in instead. “Hello there!” The four were surprised to see Puzzle again. “I’m glad you're safe. I quickly headed to the Everfree forest to rescue you only to see a bunch of broken twigs and rock.”
“Ya,” Applebloom let out a weak laugh, “let’s just say we got ourself out of there in time.”
Puzzle giggle, “well it's good that the fillies in armor manage to rescue you.” He tip his hat, “so that was the secret you were holding huh?”
“Uhh... “ The four made a few sporadic movement.
“Oh don’t worry little ones, I don’t want to know any further just to be safe.” He gave a bright smile, “I hope that we do meet again someday.”
“You’re leaving?” Scootaloo asked.
Puzzle Nodded, “I have places that i want to go but who knows as I’ll probably come back here for another visit.” He turned around, heading to the exit, “I hope we meet again.” The door closes.
“He is a nice pony,” Sweetie Belle complicated.
Imp smash on the table with his face, “never again!” he muffled while having his face buried.
The three couldn’t help but laugh.