"She could be a child, even with a voice like that," A stallion unicorn stated with emphases. “There have been fillies and foals with stronger and bolder voices than seemed possible. Any fool could see that it's possible."
"And you would know one wouldn’t you," His companion stated as he stirred his coffee with his magic. He adjusted his glasses and looked up. I'm very well educated, much more than you and I say that it was not filly. Seriously even if given magical powers no filly could not what she's done."
"Education does not necessarily make one intelligent." The first stallion muttered. "Especially if one refuses relearn something that he was taught when it might be incorrect in the first place."
His friend snorted. "Your just jealous. Little Mare Do Well is either just the original Mare Do Well turned younger by magic or a new one, perhaps her daughter and just small."
"Or her young daughter."
"Don't be stupid. You’re the one who thinks that the first Mare Do Well was Princess Twilight and her friends. How could we see Rainbow Dash and Mare Do Well at the same time if that was true?"
"There are six of them! They can swap out and it also may not have been all of them playing the part."
"Pah! That was disproven by Book Smart's theory."
"No it wasn’t! You just want to be right!"
Lily sat a couple tables away sipping on a milk shake as she watched them. She wondered if she should say something. She eventually decided against it. What could she say? 'I'm Little Mare Do Well so I know.' She turned away and focused on her shake with the memories of yesterday’s fight running around in her head as well as the first. In three days the Princess of Friendship and her friends would be back. If anything else happened they could take over and the new Mare Do Well would disappear like the first. Part of her wanted them to hurry up and part of her wanted to keep being Little Mare Do Well. When she was there in the moment she was terrified and didn't want to be there at all. When it was over the reality of the fierce danger faded away to dreams of grandeur she wanted to do it again. She knew better and that she should keep a level head but she liked the grand dreams of being a hero better.
* * *
A unicorn and a pegasus headed into Ponyville. They wore a disguised that changed their body and main colors but if one paid attention there was just something off about them.
"Are you sure that this will be so easy," The pegasus, Tar Flanks asked. "She defeated a Tatzelwurm, Malice."
"Barely. She has magical super strength but that appears to be her only advantage. She's brave, obviously but also obviously young and naive as shown by how she fought. She's has strength that nopony has but she's still just a filly. Just lead her into the trap and it will be over."
* * *
Prickles had been tired so Lily had left him asleep on the couch. She probably should go back and move him soon since her mom and dad would be home in an hour or less. He loved to sleep on the couch but occasionally her parents would come home from work too tired to notice the spiky ball on the cushion and sit on him. It would suffice to say they were not too happy after that, especially if they heard him laugh. It wasn’t out of meanness. Prickles was such an innocent little creature that he had a hard time not laughing at such things. It didn't make her parents feel better though.
Finishing her shake Lily pushed it aside and let a bit as a tip. She trotted off as two more unicorns joined the conversation. They were led by the red haired pony who was showing off his Little Mare Do Well's autograph. Rounding the corner Lily almost ran into Granny Crumpet.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't see you," Lily said.
"That's alright," Granny Crumpet replied. "I was coming to see how you were doing. Enjoying being the new Mare Do Well?"
"Well.....yes." Lily stated as they turned and started to walk away, in a slow pace because of the elderly pony.
"Most would but don't let it go to your head. It's a very dangerous job, especially for a filly. Getting cocky is about the most dangerous thing that one can do," Granny Crumpet advised.
"I'm not," Lily replied not entirely sure that that was true. "The Princess of Ponyville should be back soon with the other representatives of harmony. I don't plan to do anything after that. A lot of things happen here but surely that enough for one week. Then-"
"AAAAHHHHH!"
The screams of five stallions cut her off. Lily spun and raced back with Granny Crumpet following at her fastest pace.
"I don't have time to put my costume on!" Lily moaned as she rounded the corner. There was another one of those stupid eyeless beast slowly stalking the five stallions. They had upturned the table and were hiding behind it. She groaned and was about to charge in as Granny Crumpet walked up. Then Lily realized something. Four of them were unicorns who were known for having strong magic.
"Wait, anyone of them could capture that thing with their magic," Lily said "And there are four of them. They'll easily be able to hold him till Little Mare Do Well shows up. Stay hidden and I'll be right back," She told Granny Crumpet. She took off for home as fast as she could. Skidding in through the front door Lily didn't see Prickles and she didn't have time to look for him. She shot into her room and threw on her costume. Hearing her bother coming in the front door and call her name Lily jumped out of her window and raced back to the restaurant. Panting Lily skidded back beside Granny Crumpet in record time ready to take over the capture of the monster. She froze and stared in surprise. All of the stallions were trapped in bubbles where they still were cowering.
"What!" Lily exclaimed. "Any one of the unicorns would have had a good chance against the monster if they tried, let alone four of them and another pony to help!"
"I've seen this before," Granny Crumpet said with a sigh. "I am not surprised. For a long time not there has always been Twilight and her friends, and Mare Do Well for a short time to take care of everything. Even in the dream world where they actually did something those six were there to direct and save the day. They also knew that they could not be hurt in that world. In short they've had somepony saving the day for them for so long that now they just wait for some hero."
"But that's stupid and just because there is somepony around that seems more important that you it doesn’t take away your own abilities," Lily exclaimed but even as she did events of the monster attacks flashed through her mind. She hadn’t realized but what Granny Crumpet had said was very true. They hadn’t tried to fight back against the first monsters nor had they even thought to warn her of the tatzelwurm. Their tactics were to just hold on till Little Mare Do Well or somepony showed up and they would take care of everything. Maybe she could do something about that.
"Hit me with the hero voice'" Lily said quickly. Granny Crumpet lit up her horn giving her the voice again. "Remember what told you after your last fight. It lasts about an hour."
"I will," Lilly said. "This shouldn’t take long." Lily raced out into the open towards the monster that was just standing there for some unknown reason.
"I am the terror that gallops in the night! I am the chill that runs down your spine! I am Mare Do Well!" As the stallions cheered the monster glanced at her and then just ran away.
"Drat! I wanted that thing to chase me!" Lily grumbled as she took off after it. As she passed the stallions she paused to strike the bubbles and set them free.
"See, she's not child with that voice," One of the unicorns stated after he hit the ground.
Lily chased after the monster as the citizens of Ponyville fled before them. Have the monsters become afraid of me, Lily wondered. She tried shouting at it but it just kept running. She slowed to almost a stop twice and each time the monster turned around as if to fight her but then it ran when she charged it. Lily tried just sitting down in the center of the street but it simply turned to go after another pony and Lily was forced to move. Finally, when passing a cart Lily picked it up and threw it. It hit dead one knocking the monster out. Lily sat down in the street and stared at it, wondering about it's odd behavior.
Ponies were just coming out and starting to cheer when another monster stepped out of the alleyway. It stopped in the middle of the street and shrieked at her.
Lily struck a fighting pose. "Come and get me!" The monster stayed where it was.
Lily rolled her eyes and lunged. The monster ran. It acted just like the first monster. Lily's eyes narrowed as she ran along behind it at an easy pace. She wasn’t stupid. This was nothing more than somepony making her go right where they wanted her. Where ever that was it was not where she wanted to be. Lily banked to her left and darted behind a row of fruit stands. She didn't come out the other side. The monster turned around and stared at the stands. It began slowly stalking them and hissing as it watched carefully for when she would jump out.
It was in no danger of a surprise attack because Lily was not behind them at all. She was slinking down an alleyway until she found a ladder to the roofs. Keeping low Lily crept along the roof until she could peek down at the street. She spotted the monster still stalking the stands. It would reach them soon but Lily had her eyes on something else that she had spotted. Serval roofs away she saw the pegasus who had been trying to destroy Ponyville along with the unicorn in the first attack. He had changed his colors but she could see that it was him. Namely by the strange “off-ness” that he had about him. He was also using magic. Lily didn't know how but he was using magic. He stood on the roof dead focused on the monster. His wings were raised as if in flight and his body glowed. He was almost in a trance as he stared at the monster. He suddenly jerked his head and the beast lunged tearing at the stands with its powerful maw. When Lily was not to be found he jerked his head again and it stopped. He started looking around the streets and the monster did the same. He was controlling that beast! It was soon directed down the alley ways but Lily was already on the move.
Tar Flanks stood straining his eyes as he searched and directed the monster at the same time. This was the hardest part of using the monsters. You could give them a simple command like catch all the ponies or keep guard and they would carry it out until directed otherwise. Or you could directly control them. This took a lot of focus and Tar Flanks was obvious to most of his surroundings. He never noticed the figure behind him climbing up the wall nor sensed the costumed hoof reaching up over the roof. Not until he was seized by the tail and yanked down.
Tar Flanks lost all focus on the monster and landed hard on the ground. Before he had time to blink the stars away a metal bucket was slammed down over his head. He staggered back before collapsing where he lay dazed and trying to regain his senses.
Lily took off knowing that it would be a little bit before he came around. She had another fish to fry and a plan for Ponyville. From the second roof she had spotted the unicorn sitting on another building in the direction that the monsters had been leading her. The trap. He was crouched at the edge with his horn practically glowing already. Two more monsters stood in the streets, ready to be used if Lily took out the current one. Perfect. There were even Ponyville residents below cowering behind windows and doors. Double perfect.
Like Tar Flanks, Malice was so focused on his opponent running into the street in front of him that he never saw the projectile coming from behind. A potted plant from a window struck him square in the back of the head. With a groan he fell from the roof and landed with a thud on the ground.
Lily raced out of the alley and into sight of the Ponyville residents and checked to see if the unicorn was unconscious. The ponies nearby gave a cheer when they saw her but Lily was not here to take a bow. They expected her to take care of the final monsters but she stayed where she was.
"Citizens of Ponyville come here," Lily called as loud as she could. They looked confused but crept out while keeping a wary eye on the monsters. They hissed but did nothing. Ponies also came from nearby streets including Mayor Mare. Not wanting to waste time and let the unicorn wake up Lily started. "Citizens of Ponyville, it is your turn to take action." Lily indicated the monsters with a hoof.
A collective "Wwwaahhhhttt!" was not a surprise.
"What are you waiting for! Take them out," A pony cried followed by more ponies agreeing.
"No," Lily stated simply. "For too long all you have done is wait for somepony to save you. It's your turn to stand up and take care of yourselves."
"What are you talking about?" Mayor Mare asked. "Why can't you just get them like you did before."
"Because if I keep doing it for you it will not do you any good," Lily replied.
"Of course it will. The monsters will be gone and we will be safe." A stallion responded.
Lily faced hoofed before replying, "And you well never grow any stronger or realize your potential that way. This is really the biggest favor that I can do for you."
"I have my cutie mark and my potential is growing berries." A mare replied.
"Yeah we could never help ourselves against those things," Another added with many heads nodding in agreement.
"Oh, Pig feathers you can't!" Lily was becoming irritated. "You," Lily pointed at a construction worker. "I've seen you lift huge beams with your magic so you could easily pick up serval of those monsters. You, Bulk Biceps. You could overpower one of those things or knock it silly with one kick. You, Thunderlane. You could fly circles around them or catch them in a whirlwind. Most of you pegasus could!"
"But, actually I tend to be bad at flying in circles," Cloud Chaser complained.
"So what!? That is not all that there is! That is not all that there is to you! Everypony is more than one thing!" Lily turned to the crowd. "Seriously! Look at them!" Lily pointed at the monsters. "They’re just standing there right now with nopony to direct them! You have the perfect chance!"
The gathered ponies looked at the monsters and cringed when they hissed.
"Still we would rather if you did it." Mayor Mare said backing away. "Why can't you just do it?"
Lily moaned. "I just went over that. All of you could take them out so easily right now. Why-"
Lily was interrupted by the sound of a pony teleporting and a flash of light. Malice had vanished from the ground to reappear on the roof top. Before Lily could find something to throw her hoofs were lifted off the ground in the grip of magic and she found herself dangling high above the street.
"Nice speech but it's wasted." Malice grunted as he rubbed his sore head with a hoof.
Lily twisted around and tried to attack him but with a sinking feeling she realized a major weakness in her super strength. It was powerless if she could not lay a hoof on something.
"It was a simple plan, make trouble to draw you out and then lead you to an ambush," Malice rambled. "But who knew that it would fail and the ones to make you lose are your friends. Take a good look because you'll probably never see them again."
Lily cringed and looked down at the ponies below. "Do something!" She yelled. Pegasus began to fly for help and unicorns lit up their horns to send a message but instantly Malice shot a beam up into the air. A dome quickly covered Ponyville trapping everypony inside.
Lily never saw the rest. Her vision was blurred by a flash of light and in the next moment they were in the entrance of the underground cavern. The corridors behind them were filled with pitch black darkness. The room in front was lit by torches and almost empty except for a small chest in the corner and a sphere in the center. Looking upon the black mass wreathing inside it Lily would have far preferred the dark corridors than to be in the same room with that thing. It had the same presence that the unicorn had but much worse. Lily had been more afraid of the tatzelwurm than she was of that thing.
"Like it," Malice taunted walking closer to the thing with Lily floating in the air behind him. "It's amazing really. It can give you so much power. It can even give non-unicorns the ability to use magic. It's a lot better than anything that you call good in this world."
While trying to squirm away from it Lily was pretty sure that that was the biggest false statement ever made. The unicorn and pegasus made you uneasy and thins thing made her feel sick. Lily now understood more deeply a statement that her mom often made. ‘You can’t play with darkness or hang around it without being tainted.’
“There is only one real weapon that can be used against it if you know how,” Malice said as he nodded at the locked chest. “It can’t be destroyed but we’re keeping it out of anypony’s hoofs. Anyway, I’ll leave you here until we capture all of Ponyville and destroy it.” Keeping Lily out of reach of any object he levitated Lily across the room and a bubble formed around her. This one was different than the others. It was almost completely opaque leaving one only able to see vague shadowy images through it. It also had magic inside that kept Lily hovering in the center where she could not reach the sides.
“I hope you enjoyed your last day as little hero.” The unicorn laughed and teleported away.
Lily was left alone, suspended in the center of the bubble by magic that emanated from it. She could even sit down as if on solid ground but when she tried to strike the "ground" it had no more effect than punching the air. Lily kicked. She squirmed and thrashed. She bucked and tried to stomp. She struggled until she was utterly exhausted. She regained her second wind and fought to exhaustion again. Finally, Lily gave up and sat down on the false ground. She pulled off the Mare Do Well mask and stared out through the nearly opaque bubble. All she could make out of the light from the torches and the blackness that was that thing. At least the bubble kept her from feeling the effects of it. All she could hear was the echoes of the hideous monsters walking about on their patrol and randomly letting out creepy growls. The way the corridors carried noise made everything sound haunting and it made Lily's skin crawl. The worst of all was having to sit and wait for your fate to come. Lily's ears drooped low. She really wished that she had Prickles to hold right now.