//------------------------------// // Chapter 01: A Dust of A Start // Story: A Pain in the Metric // by JusSonic //------------------------------// A Pain in the Metric Chapter 01: A Dust of A Start The scene begins to open up towards some dark dream place located in the off spot of Equestria, far off from the Land of Dirt. There was a large cavern tunnel that lead deep into a mountain where loud noises are being heard as there were many Dark Mystic Troops that seem to be mechanics in blacksmiths in making weapons & weaponize vehicles. But looking down below from a metal box office supervisor spot was MechaStahl as he was watching things get made while at the same time…seem distracted. It was about to get worse when something came into the room by the front door…. “Hey there uncle MechaStahl, you-hoo! Guess who’s coming in?” Tech called in from coming pass the door to enter someone’s office. “Ugh, Tech!” MechaStahl sighs in annoyance to roll his eyes to not bother looking in knowing whose annoying voice that belongs to. “Bingo! I thought I drop in to surprise you!” Tech smiled off to say while coming into the room without asking to be invited in. “You’re right about one thing…you being here ‘IS’, a surprise. To my annoyance…” MechaStahl remarked off in not wanting to deal with such a matter of Tech dropping in unannounced. “Aw come on, we geniuses gotta stick together! Cook up schemes, and RULE Equestria…” Tech spoke off to approach his uncle in trying to spice up the mix. “You know, for Dark Curse, etc. etc. We just need to defeat those Equestrians is all,” Tech was waving off in making some comment about what they gotta do to get Equestria to bow down before them. “Oh really, hearing that from you who’s failed & can still go about without worry thinks it’s so easy to forget this?” MechaStahl glared at Tech who yelped in having to be victim to a scolding & angry lecture. “I’m the leader to the MechaArms, we used buildings in the areas to build thousands of weapons & weaponized vehicles, & so far….we’ve lost a constant stock hold of what we’ve been secretly working on over the years. And do you know who I blame?” He stated off in being very upset over what has happened that much of production has suddenly gone down way down lately. “Um, the Mane Six & their pals?” Tech responded off worried in answering this right or else. “Exactly! They have been victorious in their battles & we’re lacking behind in where we never had this much problem since dealing with the Mystics! Do you know what I’ve been through because of them?” MechaStahl exclaimed off in making a list of complaints over what the Mane Six have done to their group in their interference. “Um, well yah…the time in the past, Twilight was a foal that mess up a hidden weapon facility. Then around the present in the Crystal Empire, you got discovered & humiliated by some ponies, then the Clone Six which Azuma blew up that facility you left me in charge with, and…” Tech was pretty much thinking right about what has been making things hard, but too much good memory is not good when it makes one angry. “Cease your yammering Tech, for now I’m taking matters into my own clutches.” MechaStahl snapped off in silencing Tech while planning to do something about their enemy having won so much. “Um, and just…WHAT, do you plan on doing?” Tech asked off in not following along what his uncle was planning. “I’ll summon forth my most cruel & sadistic general of them all, to take care of those fools!” MechaStahl turn around to issued forth in who he was gonna call in. “Gulp…You…you don’t mean…” Tech gulps in shuddering a bit nervously in fearing who this Dark Mystic was talking about. “That’s right…he’ll be returning from a mission I gave him to perform an errand. But once he’s return, then I’ll unleash something those fools will think twice before getting under my fur.” MechaStahl smiled off with a sneaky expression, knowing he’ll soon be unleashing that which may become his vengeful fury on those that have underestimated him. Soon the scene begins to darken at this time while many of the building of weapons & vehicles are lastly seen. Seems like something is about to go down, but who is it that MechaStahl spoke of that was returning…remains to be seen. ------------------------------ Meanwhile, the scene shifts towards within the Rainbow Kingdom at this time. We find many outside of the Rainbow Castle as the Mane Six, CMC, Spike, Phobos, & Ben are getting ready to head out. As they exit the castle, they see much of the peaceful town before them as it was seen, this was something to cherish for the moment. “Well, today is another….Whoops!” Pinkie Pie was about to say until she suddenly clamps her mouth shut. “What’s wrong darling?” Rarity asked off in seeing her friend do something strange now. “If I continued that sentence, something would have responded as like today was peaceful, but then something bad would start. Good thing I stopped.” Pinkie Pie spoke off in stating something very random & very unusual at this time of almost like Breaking a Fourth Wall about one claim to invite something bad to happen to them. “Pinkie Pie, you are so random at times.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in stating how random her friend can really be. “Yep, hard ta know what she’s thinks.” Applejack nodded off in agreeing to that there term. “Well even still, if something happens, we’ll be ready for it, right?” Spike spoke off in trying to not let doubt cloud their minds here. “Right, cause after all, we’ve been doing so well on our own.” Phobos spoke off in making this brief claim over the matter of how well they’ve been doing. “Cough….nearly…cough-cough…” He coughs a bit under his breath to let that little part slip in. “Oh my, do you think any of our enemies may try to attack us?” Fluttershy spoke with concern in what may or may not come of any other enemy attacks. “That’s a possibly, but we can’t be a hundred percent certain Fluttershy.” Twilight held her chin in pondering the idea as a possibility, but it’s not for certain. “For now, we can only enjoy the peace we have each time we can hold out against our foes.” Ben stated to say this in knowing how things are slowly being made to where they can enjoy some peace and quiet. “Hey you guys!” Then Pinkamena’s voice is heard when she & the rest of Goldie’s bunch comes into the picture. “We came by to see how things are holding up. So…” Goldie spoke off in stating their reason of being here & looks to see how everyone is doing. “Looks like everything’s good, no worries here.” Nyx replied off proudly that they are all good here, no troubles here. “Well we’re glad to hear that, it’s been some time since the last active action has happen.” Jack Zen stated off in recalling the last event that caused such an uproar. “Indeed, and as my memory system has recorded such…it was not long ago since the return matter of the Gabby Gum matter.” Omega issued off to bring up a subject that happened some time ago it seems. “Let’s not & say we do remember that.” Sombra issued off in trying to not bring up some unsettling past things they recall. “Right, that’s not a very pleasant memory to recall.” Autumn Gem stated to agree, that event was not at all a pleasant experience. “I know, how dare that Discord II, also known as Chaotix, do such a thing to the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Pinkamena protest to state off in knowing that an enemy of theirs made the CMC do an evil action of a new, nastier Gabby Gum event. “Believe us, we know it.” Apple Bloom nodded off to say this in having understood such things. “Man, I can hardly recall much of what we did.” Scootaloo stated off to say in holding her head over what happened that time. “Maybe its better that way, it was all so terrible to think about such a past.” Sweetie Belle replied off in thinking they are better off not remembering when they wanna live the way of today. “Wow, that’s deep! Wonder how many others have such a thing where they have had such a hard past to live with?” Phobos replied off in having heard such a claim, and it was curious to his little mind. “I’m sure there are a few, some of them we know.” Spike shrug off to say this in thinking some folks may have things like that. “Well enough about the slow drama, didn’t we have some plans made here?” Rainbow Dash spoke off in changing the subject to a more better part of the discussion. “Rainbow’s right, we all agree ta meet up here. Ain’t dat right, Twilight?” Applejack nodded off to say while knowing of their reason for coming here. “Oh yes, we all wanted to tag along for this.” Rarity replied off in just now remembering why they are here. “I’m super excited here!” Pinkie Pie cheered forth in being ready to enjoy the show. “Okay everyone, I get it.” Twilight held up her hooves in seeing that everyone was really looking forward to something here. “We’ll start the Annual Balance Off to see who can last longer without falling into a chocolate pool.” She knows it sounds silly, but hey, it's something to do... “My favorite part is the chocolate we fall into! Hmm….” Pinkie Pie smiled in loving the idea of swimming around in chocolate. “I find it nice, no one gets hurt…they just…gently knock one down…um, right?” Fluttershy meekly responded in knowing how that annual event works, knock your opponent off balance into a dunk of chocolate. “Yep! Come on girls, let’s join the fun!” Nyx smiled off to nod while getting her friends to tag along. “Yeah!” The CMC nodded off in agreement, they don’t wanna miss this. “I’m looking forward to it, from all the training I’ve had, I should be pretty much okay with this.” Ben smile doff to say from the training he’s had with Chase the Warrior will help him out, course the guy is out of town on some errand & won’t be back for several days. “Overconfidence can be a downfall too, Benny boy!” Pinkamena smirked off to tease Ben about not letting such confidence blind him. Soon the group makes their way towards the center of town where something was about to be held. Everything goes dark at this moment, but somehow, there may be more than what some silly event may make this interesting… ---------------------------------------------------------------- The scene shifts towards the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Someone from the shadows was seen pushing a bush away to get a clear view of Ponyville. It looked like a pony figure, shrouded by shadows in which we couldn’t see what he really looks like. “Where…are we?” Spoke a mysterious young stallion’s voice in being puzzled by the sudden scene of what was none other…than Ponyville. “This place is what’s known as Ponyville. Though I am surprise…there was never a castle when last I was here.” The next to speak sounded very much like a very wise & elderly being of being humble & mystic of when last seeing the area. “Well it has been over a few decades & centuries, things change.” A third voce was heard, sounding more girly & a bit more…optimistic. “What will we find over there?” The mysterious youthful stallion asked off in what they are going to such a place to find. “Somethings….and yet…things never known.” The mystical voice of the wise being responded to the question. “O….kay, can you just spit it out already? We’re kinda lost?” The girly voice asked off in thinking they ain’t getting nowhere at this rate. “Simply stroll into town and you’ll find those that are somewhat….like you.” The wise elder voice responded to simply state this out for those that are in town, are like the youthful stallion here. “Like…me?” The youthful stallion asked off to look to himself, being puzzled by what he’s heard now. “In a way, it is the elemental power of which I speak. There lies several in that little town.” The elderly voice spoke off to explain that within Ponyville lies those with…Elements. “Well THAT makes a whole lotta sense, come on, let’s go check it out then!” The girly voice replied off in sounding a bit thrilled to check out a town that has something that relates to the Elements. “Um, right…” The youthful stallion hesitated at first, but reluctantly agreed to follow along. Soon those seen by the shadow quickly move away from their spot to prepare to enter the scene of Ponyville. But there was only one when there were two other voices, where were the others is a mystery. The scene goes dark here while many questions are arising of who or what is coming into town… ------------------------------------------------- We return towards the center of town, where there were tightropes stretched across from high altitudes & below was a magically made pit filled with chocolate. And many ponies were trying to balance themselves on the rope, wielded cushion matt bats to knock the other off. And we even find Spike & Phobos being host of this little event that seems to be going on. “Alright ponies, we have some worthy opponents taking it against balancing over the chocolate pit of DOOM!” Phobos spoke off as an excited & thrilling announcer of a program that is sure to sound like a wrestle-mania event. “Do you really have to add the Doom part?” Spike raised his eyebrows in having heard Phobos add in such an address term here. “What, it makes this event sound more exciting.” Phobos reacted off in thinking this was to spice up their event here. “Anyway…It’s Pinkie Pie & Rainbow Dash, followed by Ben & Applejack, & lastly Pinkamena & Golden Heart.” Spike spoke off in showing scenes where some ponies were balancing on tight ropes over a chocolate pit. “Wait, hold the phone! Looks like Pinkie Pie is knocked out already!” Phobos spoke off in seeing one pony has already been beaten & fell in the chocolate. “Pinkie, were you even trying?” Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrows up in feeling like her friend was barely fighting back to stay on top. “Sorry, the chocolate was so tempting, I forgot to duck! But oh well….hmmm…” Pinkie Pie replied off that she was distracted, but was distracted again to lick the chocolate off her fur. “Come on Ben, show me what ye got!” Applejack issued off in wanting the stallion to come at her. “With pleasure!” Ben smiled off in taking that invitation without any regret. Soon Ben & Applejack were either whacking or dodging the other’s toy cushion matt to not fall, but kept a balance on the rope. Why, even Golden Heart was having trouble fighting his own sister, at least it was a ‘friendly’ type of competition. “Sorry bro., but you are going down!” Pinkamena issued off to say in about to take her brother down. “I hate to see how things be if we were in a serious battle.” Goldie responded to say in seeing his sister try to make him lose balance with swings & thrust moves until… “Waaahhh!” Goldie yelps to fall & lands in the chocolate pit. “And Goldie’s out!” Phobos spoke off in seeing who was the next to be taken down in this challenge. “So is Applejack!” Spike stated in seeing that Applejack has fallen in the echolocate pit, making Ben the winner. “Everyone, we have a three way finale, but we need a fourth to break this. Any volunteers?” Twilight spoke off to say in seeing that with Rainbow Dash, Ben Mare & Pinkamena, they need a fourth to make this fair. “Sorry darling, but I rather not get chocolate in my mane.” Rarity stated to say in refusing the invite, so to not be messy. “Um, I’m more just watching.” Fluttershy meekly spoke with a shy tone in what she was doing from afar. “What about any of you guys?” Nyx asked near Goldie’s group that didn’t partake yet. “My weight would snap the rope.” Omega pointed out that from his weight, he snap the rope & they all land i the chocolate pit. “And do you honestly want us to face Pinkamena when she’s playing her serious mode in wanting to win a game?” Jack Zen stated off to sarcastically say they aren’t facing someone who wants to win. “Just be glad this is not an actual combat.” Sombra pointed off in knowing if this was a real battle, facing Pinkamena be a bad idea. “That would make things a bit…much.” Autumn Gem slowly stated in knowing how things would make at such odds & ends. While this silly event was going on, no one was noticing a stranger was walking into town in seeing all the cheery ponies observing the event. The character appeared to be an Earth stallion with gray light turquoise color coat, light gray/turquoise mane & tail, he also has clear light emerald eyes. He is seen wearing a strange uniform outfit, tan turquoise color by its view as well as the cape, black boots, black vest, and he wears a Chinese style disc hat of tan turquoise & black of two for four corners which it hide his eyes. He does not have a Cutie Mark, for it's not shown on his outfit, but his talent...is like a dusty view of things. Right now, this character looks around, but his eyes aren’t seen from his hat, but he look to be looking for something. “Oh, hi there! Never seen you before!” Pinkie Pie smiled off to pop up near the new face in town, much to his startling reaction. “Um….I just arrived in town.” The youthful stallion responded off in stating that he just arrived. “Hey gang, we got a new pony in town!” Pinkie Pie called over to her friends, much to the guy’s late notice of what the pink pony was doing. That earn some attention from the usual gang members to approach the new pony dressed strangely; he really was from out of town here. “My, I’ve never seen any pony wear such clothing! Where are you from?” Rarity stated to say in not having seen any characters like this one before. “Um…” The youthful stallion was looking around at seeing how everyone was being…’friendly’ towards him. “Hold on Rarity, how’s about we introduce ourselves & get ta know de guy who don’t know wha de hay’s gone on?” Applejack stated off that they gotta introduce themselves to the new guy here. “Oh, we’re sorry, we should tell you our names before you say yours.” Fluttershy spoke out in feeling terrible about being so rude. “It’s….fine…” The youthful stallion lightly responded that he was fine, that wasn’t bothering him at all. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. That’s my lover Ben, my daughter Nyx, Spike my assistant, and Phobos, Nyx’s pet pal.” Twilight pointed off members of herself & family for the new guy to know who they are; important royals. “Then there's Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Golden Heart, Jack Zen, Sombra, Autumn Gem, Omega & Pinkamena.” She then went ahead to point to each of her friends & the rest of the gang in having introduce everyone to the new stallion in town. “So what’s your name?” Ben asked off in who this new character was that came into their town. “My name….is Dust.” The revealed pony slowly revealed himself by name here. “Hugh, Dust you say….sounds….interesting.” Jack Zen replied off in having heard the name, it sounded…strangely curious indeed. “You appear to be a warrior from what you appear & wear.” Omega pointed out in what Dust must be to be seen looking like such a character. “Oh yah, Dust is really tough when he gets to it.” Spoke a girly voice that was giving comments of the pony here to the group. “What the…who said that?” Rainbow Dash yelps off to look around, there was no one, but they all heard a voice. “I did!” The girly voice spoke out to suddenly fly from behind bust’s body to appear, & she was not a pony neither. She appeared to be an orange nimbat with white paws, belly and front face, and dark emerald eyes. And as the gang saw her, they were amazed in having seen a creature like this…& could talk & fly! “Oh my goodness! You’re…a Nimbat!” Fluttershy gasped off in having recognize such creatures to her eyes. “What’s that? Some sorta Bat?” Spike asked off in not having heard about things like Nimbats. “No, they’re a different species of bat….they’re also an intelligent race.” Fluttershy spoke off in having explain just what kind of animal the Nimbat really is. “My….she looks like an astounding creature.” Autumn Gem gasped off to smile in seeing such a unique creature before them. “Thank you, I am indeed something!” The orange nimbat smiled off proudly in taking in such credits here. “Heh, I think she looks like any of them Fruit Bats with an ego issue & is more a comic relief.” Phobos snickered off to comment in who the orange bat thing was to him. “Hey, I heard that!” The orange nimbat snapped off to flap near Phobos in having been insulted just now. “Alright Fidget, no need to get fussy here.” Dust calmly spoke to calm the Nimbat’s name from starting trouble. “Oh! Wanna join in our Annual Balance Off event? Last one standing wins!” Pinkie Pie smiled off in suddenly inviting if Dust wants to partake in their little fun event. “Alright then, we accept! And by we, I mean Dust. Since he’s a pony, and me…I’m just a Nimbat.” Fidget proudly spoke to say this while leaving the matter for Dust to do; since it was a pony thing & not a Nimbat matter. “Hey wait a minute, Fidget. I don’t even know how this works.” Dust spoke up in feeling like that was happening too fast to know what it is he needs to do. “Simple, knock your opponent off.” Scootaloo smiled off in stating what it is that Dust needs to do. “Have them fall into the pit of chocolate.” Apple Bloom pointed that those on the rope knock the other in that pit of cushion chocolate. “Be the last one, to win.” Sweetie Belle smiled off happily in stating how such a game is supposed to work. “Besides, we need a fourth competitor.” Nyx issued off to say in what they need at this time. “Well…” Dust looked around in seeing such eager faces, and he just…got this weird feeling to not disappoint. “I guess…I can try.” He gives in, and so Dust will compete as well. “Alright, it’s decided. Let’s continue the event!” Twilight stated off in seeing that with Dust’s agreement, they can begin the next part of this fun event. After a few short minutes, the final event was now here where atop of a tightrope over a pit of chocolate, was four competitors: Rainbow Dash, Ben Mare, Pinkamena, & additional to the math, Dust. They had toy soft cushion bats to knock the other off & into the pit, whoever is left wins, the crowd watches with anticipation. “Now I know that the rules say you can’t fly out or use magic, so speed & agility are key. So get ready for a big fall!” Rainbow Dash issued off in making herself be ready to make the first move here. Now Rainbow Dash was charging to attack, but then Dust did something, he leaped away from the attack & struck beneath Rainbow’s hooves. That in turn caused the dare-devil pony to lose balance. “Waaah…Guupvhmm…” Rainbow Dash fell off of the rope & landed in the chocolate pit; where she came out, but was out of the game. “Well, I guess you were ready for that great fall of yours.” Dust smiled off a little in seeing something funny. “Hey Dust, keep your eyes peeled, you got two more!” Fidget called out to warn her bud about more competitors around the area. Just as Fidget said, Ben & Pinkamena went off to attack from separate jump ropes to get Dust. But even though the two were good in combat, Dust seem to be even more skilled than let on, & even with using a toy weapon….the moves done seem extraordinary. It’s like Dust has had plenty of fighting experience & has sharpen them to an extension. “Wow, I’ve never seen those moves before.” Ben stated in seeing some new moves that Dust can perform, he’s really fast & swift on his hooves. “He must be really good with a sword, since he’s got one & isn’t using it.” Pinkamena pointed out in seeing that Dust had a sword on hand, but was not using it for this little event. “Well, this isn’t a real match…right?” Dust stated to say in knowing what is being done is no real battle. “Do you feel better with that than with these soft bat toys?” Ben asked if Dust was even alright using something different from a weapon. “It’s okay…don’t worry…I’ll manage.” Dust stated to say that he’ll be fine. Now things were really starting to heat up as Ben & Pinkamena decided to try to attack with a bit more serious movements. But of course, Dust seem to study them & avoid any attacks, he even struck around Ben’s side that cause the guy to lose his balance. “Waahh..Waaahhh!” Ben was starting to lose himself from about to fall into the pit of chocolate, if this was real danger he know what to do, but… “Ben, careful, he’s…” Pinkamena was about to say her warning until… “Flupovhmm../Splasshvmm…” But then Dust swooped from behind to knock Ben off & have him fall into the chocolate pit where he splash & was covered all over. “Right behind you!” Pinkamena finished her warning too late, Dust knock Ben out, so now she’s left to play. “Okay pal, time to dance!” She stated in getting herself ready to face Dust in this final outcome. “Um, I’m not sure if dancing is my strong suit.” Dust responded off puzzled about the words he has been told. “Dust! Forget the idea and knock her into the pit of Chocolatey DOOM!” Fidget yelled out in cheering Dust to knock Pinkamena out. “Chocolatey Doom, really?” Dust look to Fidget in making it sound like a terrible thing to befall someone. “What, it can be scary if one imagines it.” Fidget responded to look puzzled in how she said something silly, but tried to make it have a dramatical theme. “Well take this, Dust!” Pinkamena yelled out in preparing to attack now. But then while Pinkamena was rushing in to attack, Dust leaps off on the rope to end up behind the pink pony. But what came next was another surprise indeed as Dust used a technique… “Ninja Dash….Hwwuuaaghh!” Dust suddenly dodged the pink pony’s next attack & follows it up with a combo & parry strikes while Pinkamena seem to try to block with her toy soft bat. “Waaaaugh-Haaaaughh….I’m about to fall in!” Pinkamena yelps from feeling that what Dust did started to make her lose balance until… “Waaaugh…/Splashvm….” Pinkamena let off a scream before she fell right into the chocolate pit and was covered in the stuff. “And Winner by fallout, is…Dust!” Phobos issued forth in who was the new winner of this event challenge. “Wow, a first timer out of town won, don’t think we saw that coming.” Spike replied off in seeing they had someone outside of town win this. Pinkamena was seen coming out of the chocolate pit, but then Dust soon leaped off from the high height as he landed near the pit. Many wondered what was gonna happen, but Dust soon leans down to help the pony out. “Sorry about that, here, let me help you up.” Dust spoke off with a smile to offer aid for the one he made fall & got covered in chocolate. “Oh, thanks…that’s nice of you to…” Pinkamena replied off to say in having decided to take that offer, at least Dust is a nice guy. But just then, when Pinkamena came in contact with Dust’s actually hoof, she froze in having felt something….oddly peculiar about this guy. One thing felt like, an element, but it also felt like there was something else, but….way off. Even after Dust left when he helped the pony up, Pinkamena was still trapped in her own little world of what it was she sense that didn’t seem like normal type of magic. “Hey sis, you seem space out. Everything alright?” Goldie cuts over in noticing that something was distracting his sister. “Yah, but Goldie...Dust…I can’t explain it but…he seems different from you or me.” Pinkamena replied off in being okay, but felt there was something about Dust that he was different from them. “Oh no, he’s not an enemy, is he?” Jack Zen groans to say in picturing the worse thing to come to them. “Course not, that much I’m sure of, but…just can’t help but wonder what he really is…It’s like he’s alive, but….also not…it’s even confusing even to me.” Pinkamena spoke off in feeling a bit puzzled & unknowing about what Dust was, it was…a mystery. This did bring questions to the rest, as if feeling that Dust was more than meets the eye, and that answer came from….one more surprise. Which Goldie’s group join in to finally get an ear of what was to be heard. “Tell me something, are…many of you Element bearers?” Dust asked forth this question in studying the group, being curious about the Mane Six & company. “Well yah, me & Pinkamena have elements while Twilight & her friends are representatives to the Elements of Harmony, but…why do you ask?” Ben replied of in stating that those here do have Elements, so they are welders. “Because he said you are somewhat like me.” Dust stated to say this in what he could say here. “Who said it?” Spike raised an eyebrow in not following what Dust was saying. “That, would be me…” Then Dust’s weapon floated off from his possession as it was a wide sword shaped mystically with magic runes on it that glows to surround it and can allow it to float at times. “Greetings…” The voice spoke off with its lit runes as it seem to…possess a soul. “A TALKING SWORD!” Phobos responded off in shock in having seen & HEARD this. “COOL!” The CMC replied off in being surprised to see a weapon that could talk. “I am Ahrah.” The revealed sword introduced himself to the others to know his name now. “I am the weapon wielded by Dust, he who is the Wielder to the Element of Dust.” He spoke off in making himself clear to all, and even stating what Dust is here. “Waaahhh!” The others yelped in having heard that, Dust is actually…another user to an Element? Didn’t see that one coming! “Wow, having both a name for an element & the pony themselves, that’s something else.” Nyx replied off in finding this to be something amazing to believe. “Wait, the sword you hold…could it be….the Sword of Ahrah?” Goldie asked off to study Dust’s sword, as if recognizing its detail features & from what it could be. “I remember hearing a legend, stating it is one of Five Blades of Elysium. Ancient weapons forged by a mystical kind using materials unknown in Equestria, created to guide their sword bearers. I heard it vanished long ago.” Goldie has heard about the Sword of Ahrah, but recalled it was lost long ago. “I can fill in the blanks. He’s been asleep for 200 years, watched over by me, its guardian, until a mysterious warrior, that’s Dust, unknowingly summons him, and when they meet, he allowed Dust to use him as his weapon.” Fidget explained off to fill in the details while being somewhat a guardian to the sword & now travels with Dust. “Thank you Fidget, for…filling in the blanks.” Dust replied off in seeing how brief Fidget made that sound. “Eh, I do what I can.” Fidget shrug off to say in knowing what she done here. “But for you to be an Element Wielder & keeper of a very important sword…is astonishing!” Jack Zen stated to say in finding this all so surprising to believe. “There are not many that can craft magic objects in which they can obtain both a living natural sense & personality.” Omega pointed out a fact that seems like a rare thing to be seen at times, living weapons that also come with personality & speaking traits. “I know my Blades of Pinkie Pie are active in being alive, but even they CAN’T TALK at all!” Pinkamena stated that she forge weapons that were very active, but even still, her chain blades can’t speak at all. “So then, why are you here?” Twilight asked off in being curious of Dust coming to their town. “I’ve been traveling, and…this is the first place I’ve come across…without much war, it seems…peaceful.” Dust spoke off in noticing just how quiet, calm, and peaceful this place is. “Buddy, then you miss out on times when we had to fight to survive.” Phobos rolled his eyes in stating that this place ain’t as one believes. “Shh…don’t ruin the mood.” Spike hushed his fried to not have Dust think they can’t maintain peace. “Right, anyway, we were wondering…is there a place we can spend the night after a long travel on our journey? And maybe get something to eat while we’re at it?” Fidget asked off in liking to know where they can find a place to stay, get some rest, and food which was on the Nimbat’s mind. “Well, how about you stay at our castle, one of the rewards for the winner would be treated to a life in our castle for a whole day as honored guest.” Twilight spoke off to say in seeing that Dust won the event they held, so it only sounds fair for whoever won. “Really….wow, talk about luck! We come into town, get invited in a little event, and get to spend the night in a castle. What are the chances, Dust?” Fidget responded off in smiling in liking the sounds of this as she flapped over to Dust to have him hear what is gonna be going on from here. “That…really isn’t necessary, princess.” Dust stated off to look away, unknowing if that was even alight for them to be inside a castle. “Oh come on Dust, she’s a princess, it be rude to decline such a rare offer.” Fidget spoke off with a smile in trying to get her buddy to not turn down something & break the kind mare’s generous heart. “Well, alright…I hate to impose due to my companion here.” Dust sighs to say in deciding to take that offer, even if force by Fidget’s part. “Don’t worry, we all have been through something like that.” Ben rolled his eyes in knowing that having those that wanna get in on the good stuff will always be around to get another to change their mind. Soon the group then begins to move out while some are gonna pack up the event of what was already finished to be done for the day. The scene begins to fade, many surprises have happened, and from one of them, a new face & a new ally has come into the picture. But who or what is Dust, really? That will remain to be seen another time…. ----------------------------- Meanwhile, something was approaching the area of where MechaStahl and his MechaArms were currently working on stuff. Many saw what came into the cavern and one ran off to report this to MechaStahl who was waiting in his office room along with Tech before noticing something going on. “MechaStahl, he’s coming near our station.” A Dark Mystic Trooper reported the case of who was already here at this time. “Good, give him clearance to enter.” MechaStahl responded off to give the guest the clearance. “At once.” The soldier bowed his head before he turned to leave. “I don’t know, you sure about asking him to fight?” Tech asked off in feeling a bit uneasy about what they are gonna be doing here. “Who better to aid us than with the aid of my unique general…?” MechaStahl responded off in showing confident cockiness in knowing what he’s doing. Then something was seen opening the door to enter the office as it made Tech squirm with fear to hide behind his uncle’s office chair just as MechaStahl sat down. The character was not seen by the camera as his appearance was left a mystery. “I heard you have an assignment for me.” Spoke off to sound like something dark, something without feeling; something that sounded…cruel. “Gulp….” Tech swallowed hard in hearing just the voce while quivering in fear. “I do…to put an end to certain heroes thinking they are getting too high in standing in our way.” MechaStahl spoke off in getting straight to the point of what it is he wants done. “Then show me these characters and I’ll handle them….personally within the new mobile base we completed.” The unseen character responded in explaining that he’ll take the mission, & will also bring out something else. “Mo-Mo-Mobile Base?” Tech responded off surprise in having heard what this character has got up his sleeve. “Excellent work, commence with the task…General Metric.” MechaStahl responded in sounding pleased while addressing this Dark Mystic in question. “With pleasure….” The unseen foe known as Metric responded before turning to leave while we watch from an off-screen camera that doesn’t show much of his appearance. “I’ll inform Cobar of what we’re doing…before striking.” He stated to say before he was already out the door the next minute. The scene grows dark now with a sneaky smile creep up MechaStahl’s face. It won’t be long before those that have brought them such disarray meet an end by this General Metric. What will happen next, is something left to be seen….